At the recently concluded Africa AI Summit, Mr. James Byaruhanga, Managing Director of Roke Cloud at Roke Telkom, delivered a compelling keynote on Uganda and Africa’s journey into the AI-driven Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). In his keynote presentation, he framed artificial intelligence (AI) as the cornerstone of the 4IR, powered by interconnected technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data Analytics, Cloud Computing, and Machine Learning.
“IoT devices generate vast amounts of data, which cloud infrastructure stores and processes. AI then analyzes this data to automate tasks, predict trends, and solve complex problems,” he explained.
He noted that the Fourth Industrial Revolution, characterized by the fusion of emerging technologies, reshapes industries globally. For Africa, this revolution presents both opportunities and challenges, particularly in cybersecurity, infrastructure, and workforce readiness. For cybersecurity, he emphasized AI’s role in automating threat responses: “When attacks multiply globally, manual solutions fail, but AI can enable real-time defense.”
Quoting Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s CEO, aptly noted, “AI is going to be the key to understanding and solving many of the world’s most complex problems.” He explains that AI might be our best tool yet to tackle complex global challenges. But with innovation comes risk. Major global events like the COVID-19 updates, the FIFA World Cup Finals, or the new POPE’s announcement, and Uganda’s recent budget reading often see internet traffic spikes, creating a prime target for cyber threats. AI-driven systems become essential here, enabling rapid pattern recognition and automated responses that human teams alone can’t match.
However, for Uganda and much of Africa, the biggest bottleneck isn’t talent or ambition; it’s infrastructure. “We don’t have enough GPUs in-country, and even remote access is hindered by weak connectivity,” he noted. With data sovereignty and protection growing in importance, hosting AI solutions locally is no longer optional—it’s essential.
To address this, Mr. Byaruhanga revealed that Roke Cloud is taking a bold step to launch East Africa’s first GPU-powered cloud infrastructure within the next two (2) months. The goal? To democratize AI innovation. Allowing startup founders, innovators, creatives, or data scientists to build locally hosted solutions. “Shared cloud resources reduce costs and foster collaboration, positioning ‘AI-as-a-service’ as a catalyst for homegrown AI applications,” he explained. “Uganda’s innovators won’t just participate in the AI revolution—they’ll lead it.”
AI’s potential extends beyond cybersecurity. Mr. Byaruhanga highlighted the technology‘s transformative potential in critical sectors: healthcare, agriculture, and public services. In healthcare, AI aids precision diagnostics and telemedicine, while IoT-driven automation empowers smallholder farmers. He also pointed to government-led digital transformation programs, often backed by global institutions like the World Bank, as catalysts for change, saying AI streamlines tax systems, identity management, and service delivery.
Uganda’s innovation hubs, such as The Innovation Village, already buzz with AI-driven startups. However, scaling these solutions requires policy frameworks addressing data privacy, user consent, and ethical AI use.
Addressing a common fear that AI will replace humans, he quoted former IBM CEO Ginni Rometty, “AI won’t replace people, but people who use AI will replace those who don’t.” He urged businesses and governments to prioritize and embrace upskilling, stressing that coding bootcamps, AI literacy programs, and partnerships with tech firms/leaders are critical to preparing Africa’s youth for an AI-augmented economy.
See also: OP-ED: Scared of AI? It Won’t Replace Humans
Africa’s AI Preparedness Index
Citing the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s AI Preparedness Index, Mr. Byaruhanga revealed stark disparities: Mauritius, Egypt, and South Africa lead Africa in AI readiness, while Uganda ranks 19th. “Climbing this ladder requires cultural shifts, policy reforms, and infrastructure investments,” he asserted. Rwanda and Kenya’s higher rankings, he noted, underscore the value of strategic investment.
He closed with a rallying cry: “AI is here to stay. Whether we thrive depends on embracing it today.” For Africa, the journey involves overcoming infrastructural gaps, fostering innovation, and preparing societies for change. As Roke Cloud pioneers GPU access and AI-as-a-Service, Byaruhanga’s vision offers both a roadmap and a challenge: Africa must act swiftly to harness AI, or risk being left behind in the 4IR.
The Africa Artificial Intelligence Summit (AAIS) was a two-day event that was held at Speke Resort in Munyonyo, Kampala, Uganda, under the theme “Navigating Artificial Intelligence for Business Growth and Resilience”. Organized by Jjengo Tech Ltd and CEED-Uganda in collaboration with Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), the event brought together industry leaders & professionals, technologists, academia, state actors, and startups from across the world to discuss the latest advancements in AI and related fields and shape the future of Africa.
AAIS is dedicated to creating an African platform for sharing ideas, research, and perspectives on AI, driven by the conviction that this technology holds transformative potential to revolutionize how we live and work, and is committed to ensuring Africa leads this global shift. Rooted in values of innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity, AAIS champions collective action, believing that through united efforts, they can shape an equitable, prosperous future for the African continent.
See also: Embrace technology now or prepare to suffer for a very long time — James Byaruhanga
