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ChatGPT, the AI chatbot developed by OpenAI, faces bans and restrictions in several African countries, sparking debates about access, regulation, and the continent’s readiness for advanced AI.
According to a July 2025 report by Cybernews, which analyzed OpenAI’s service data, over 20 countries worldwide have restricted ChatGPT access, with 9 of them in Africa.
While non-conformist nations like China, Russia, and Iran have imposed political bans on ChatGPT and are investing in their own AI alternatives, Africans are grappling with a more complex set of issues, including limited internet infrastructure, sanctions, political instability, and regulatory uncertainty, leading to restrictions on the platform.
Notably, African countries restricting access to ChatGPT are predominantly those embroiled in conflict or under authoritarian rule, whereas citizens in nations like Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Ghana have full access to and are actively exploring AI regulation and innovation.
This contrast underscores how systemic stability determines access to transformative technologies. In countries with robust institutions, AI is flourishing in various sectors, including education, small businesses, professional services, and logistics.
Conversely, those with restrictions risk being excluded from a global AI-driven economy projected to add trillions of dollars in value by 2030.
Experts warn that if Africa does not embrace AI, it risks falling behind in what is often described as the next industrial revolution. As President Paul Kagame noted at the Global AI Summit in Kigali:
“Africa can’t afford to be left behind, once again playing catch-up. We have to adopt, cooperate, and compete because it is in our best interest to do so.” he said.
Additionally, the emergence of powerful alternatives such as Anthropic’s Claude, Google’s Gemini, Elon Musk’s Grok, and Meta’s AI models adds another layer of urgency. With global competition accelerating, Africa faces the danger of becoming only a consumer of imported technologies rather than a creator of its own.
In July 2024, the African Union formally endorsed a continent-wide AI strategy calling for an “Africa-owned, people-centered, development-oriented, and inclusive approach to accelerate African countries’ AI capabilities … while also ensuring adequate safeguards and protection from threats.”
The policy highlights the continent’s intent to avoid overdependence on foreign systems by prioritizing African-led innovation and regulation.
Meanwhile, concerns about AI’s potential risks are shaping international debates.
Geoffrey Hinton, often referred to as the “godfather of AI,” has warned that AI systems could manipulate humans and even pose existential threats, estimating a 10% – 20% chance that AI could one day wipe out humanity. Others, such as Fei-Fei Li, the “godmother of AI,” argue instead for a human-centered approach that preserves dignity and agency.
As global powers race ahead, Africa faces a defining choice; restrict and risk exclusion, or embrace, regulate, and build its own AI ecosystem.
Olamilekan Okebiorun
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