AI Alone Can’t Formalise Africa’s Economy, Says Africa Finance Corp CEO
Samaila Zubairu, CEO of Africa Finance Corporation, warned that AI and digital apps alone cannot formalise Africa’s informal economy without substantial physical infrastructure investment.
In Brief
- •Samaila Zubairu, CEO of Africa Finance Corporation, warned that AI and digital apps alone cannot formalise Africa’s informal economy without substantial physical infrastructure investment.
- •He highlighted that 83% of African employment is informal, and lack of reliable electricity, storage, and transport hampers digital solutions.
- •Zubairu urged policymakers to adopt comprehensive industrial master planning, using projects like the multi‑billion‑dollar Lobito Corridor to anchor regional value chains rather than just raw‑material export routes.
- •He stressed that infrastructure projects must be integrated with urban planning to avoid unplanned slums.
Why It Matters
Africa’s informal sector accounts for roughly 83% of employment, making formalisation a key driver of inclusive growth. Zubairu’s remarks underscore that digital transformation alone is insufficient; without foundational physical infrastructure—electricity, transport, storage—technology cannot reach the majority of businesses. The call for integrated industrial planning signals a shift toward holistic development strategies that could reshape regional economies and improve livelihoods across the continent.
Key Details
- Informal Sector Employment
- 83% of total employment
- Event
- Africa Financial Summit (AFIS) 2026
- Location
- Luanda, Angola
- Project
- Lobito Corridor
- CEO
- Samaila Zubairu
- Organization
- Africa Finance Corporation (AFC)
Context & Background
The belief that digital platforms and AI can leapfrog traditional industrialisation has been widespread in Africa’s technology ecosystem, but Zubairu’s comments at AFIS 2026 challenge this notion by highlighting the need for physical infrastructure.
Original Reporting & Sources
VNews is an independent briefing product. Original reporting remains credited to the following publishers:
This brief was synthesized automatically using attributed third-party reporting. VNews is a digital news publication produced under the VContent Group brand and operated by Francis Vincent Sunday in Ghana, independent from the publishers cited above. Read our AI Transparency Policy and Editorial & Corrections Policy.