Africa’s Next Creative Leap: Building AI, Jobs, and Ownership in the Digital Economy
Kenyan creators export their AI content to Beijing, losing billions annually in fees. African talents need local infrastructure and support to own their digital future.
Grab AI, Face Reality Check
When Kenyan creators post content on TikTok, that creativity is sent straight to servers in Beijing. Every clip, every video, every idea is exported out of Africa, taking value with it.
During the pandemic, as the world retreated indoors, Mumbi Ndung’u saw an opportunity. She’s the CEO and founder of Power Learn Project (PLP), a platform that has trained over 20,000 young Africans to compete in the AI and gig economy. Her message is clear: “We need to shift from being consumers of AI to becoming creators.” This shift is essential for Africa to claim its place in the digital future.
A Generation Ready to Build — But Lacking The Infrastructure
Africa’s youth population is massive—nearly 70% under 30. But raw numbers aren’t enough. “It takes intentional investment to unlock that advantage,” Ndung’u points out. Training talent is one side, but connecting that talent to meaningful jobs is the other.
Power Learn Project has placed 63% of its trainees in jobs. Yet, each placement costs around $2,500 in training, mentorship, and support. This raises a crucial question: are we factoring in the real cost of creating sustainable digital jobs?
Beyond money, the technical infrastructure is a hurdle. Africa’s limited computing power makes developing advanced AI models locally almost impossible without external partnerships. Plus, many global AI platforms remain out of reach for young developers due to cost or access barriers.
Exporting Creativity, Importing Platforms
Franklin Mogoi, head of QLab (Qhala Labs), highlights the economic drain at play. Every time Kenyan creators upload content to TikTok, they're effectively exporting their creativity to servers halfway across the globe. Payments come back through platforms like PayPal, which charge hefty fees.
African creators lose about $20 billion annually to transaction and platform fees. That’s money that could build local infrastructure, AI tools, and platforms designed specifically for African needs.
QLab’s new platform, Karnix Africa, is working to change this. It connects African creatives directly with investors using AI to match filmmakers and content creators with global funders. The goal is to make intellectual property-based projects bankable, turning ideas into funded businesses instead of dismissed dreams.
The Orange Economy: Africa’s Undervalued Powerhouse
Timothy Owase, CEO of the Kenya Film Commission, calls the creative industries a cornerstone of Africa’s future economy—what the UN calls the Orange Economy. This sector thrives on creativity, culture, and intellectual property, turning stories and cultural assets into real economic value.
“Storytelling is more than entertainment. It’s culture, identity, and an export that generates revenue,” Owase says. Kenya’s film industry is proof: from zero films on Netflix in 2018 to over 40 today. African stories have global appeal.
But Owase warns against heavy-handed regulation. Overregulation risks stifling creativity. Instead, governments should enable freedom and flexibility, supporting creatives who want to work on their own terms while maintaining financial stability.
Financing, Legal Barriers, and the IP Trap
Access to capital remains a major bottleneck. Mogoi admits many creators lack proper financial records, and investors back businesses, not just ideas.
To help, Qhala Labs is building AI tools to assist young entrepreneurs with legal contracts and understanding intellectual property rights. These tools won’t replace lawyers but will help creators protect their work and avoid exploitation.
Protecting IP in an AI-driven world is tricky. Data and content can be copied easily. “If we don’t create our own legal frameworks, others will set the rules for us,” Mogoi warns.
Is Africa Ready for AI?
The question lingers: Is Africa prepared to take on AI? Ndung’u says yes—but the clock is ticking. Talent exists, but infrastructure, policy, and ethical guidelines are urgent needs. Without them, Africa risks becoming a source of cheap labor for global AI firms.
Owase adds, “AI and the Orange Economy will shape the future. Africa must be not just workers but owners.” As AI automates traditional jobs, Africa’s chance to define its role is limited.
The Call to Action: Build Now
The bottom line: don’t wait for perfect conditions. Mogoi is blunt—“Nobody is coming to build these solutions for us.”
Power Learn Project, Qhala Labs, and Kenya Film Commission offer a glimpse of what’s possible: African-led, globally connected, turning youthful energy into scalable work.
As Ndung’u puts it, “This isn’t just about jobs; it’s about who controls the narrative in the age of AI. That fight starts now.”
For creatives ready to step into AI and digital skills, training is key. Explore practical AI courses to build your edge at Complete AI Training.
