Nigeria could see a surge in digital employment over the next decade, with the number of tech-driven jobs across Africa projected to reach 230 million by 2030, according to a new report by Mastercard.
The growth is expected to be driven largely by the responsible and inclusive adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) across key sectors.
The white paper, titled “Harnessing the Transformative Power of AI in Africa,” examines the continent’s readiness to deploy AI in areas such as agriculture, healthcare, education, energy, and finance. It highlights how locally tailored, ethically developed AI could accelerate economic development while creating millions of jobs.
“Africa’s commitment to AI is already transforming lives, not just in labs, but also in fields, clinics, and classrooms. Unlocking its full potential requires investments in infrastructure, data, talent, and public policy.
At Mastercard, we believe responsible, locally rooted AI can drive inclusive growth and connect more people to opportunity,” said Mark Elliott, President of Mastercard’s Africa Division.
The report underscores Africa’s demographic dynamism, mobile-first infrastructure, and entrepreneurial energy as key advantages in the global AI economy.
It predicts that the African AI market will expand from $4.5 billion in 2025 to $16.5 billion by 2030.
“AI is only powerful if it’s built on trust.
At Mastercard, we’re committed to developing AI that’s responsible, inclusive, and designed to deliver value to our customers, partners, and employees. That’s not just innovation, it’s innovation with integrity,” said Greg Ulrich, Chief AI and Data Officer at Mastercard.
The report also showcases national initiatives across the continent. In South Africa, $610 million in AI-focused venture capital was raised in 2023, with plans to launch 300 AI startups and train 5,000 professionals by 2030.
Kenya’s National AI Strategy (2025–2030) supports innovation such as Tala, which leverages mobile data for credit assessment, and Jacaranda Health’s chatbot UlizaLlama, offering maternal health advice in five local languages.
Nigeria, home to the continent’s second-largest AI startup ecosystem, raised $218 million in venture capital in 2023.
AI is already being applied to personalised learning through Rising Academies, microfinance via Kudi.ai, and public governance tools for tracking fund allocation.
Analysts project Nigeria’s AI market alone will reach $1.4 billion by 2025, positioning the country as a central hub for Africa’s digital transformation.
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