Brazzaville, 21 October 2025 (ECA) - Could artificial intelligence (AI) become the engine of a more inclusive, transparent, and development-driven financial system in Africa?
That question was at the heart of the Regional Conference on “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Finance and Its Repercussions on African Economies,” organized in Brazzaville by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), through its Subregional Office for Central Africa, in partnership with ACADYS International and the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and the Digital Economy of the Republic of the Congo.
Presided over by H.E. Léon Juste Ibombo, Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and the Digital Economy, the event gathered more than 110 high-level participants—from central banks, regional development banks, international financial institutions, fintechs, startups, and academia—to explore how AI can reshape Africa’s financial landscape and drive sustainable growth.
Africa at a Turning Point
According to PwC estimates, AI could generate up to USD 15.7 trillion in global value by 2030, including USD 1.5 trillion for Africa, a potential the ECA urges countries to fully harness.
“Artificial intelligence is not a technological trend—it is an instrument of economic sovereignty and a catalyst for structural transformation,” said Jean Luc Mastaki, Director of ECA’s Subregional Office for Central Africa. “If well integrated, AI can help build a more inclusive, resilient, and transparent financial ecosystem” he stated.
Discussions highlighted how AI can: use predictive analytics to expand access to credit and reduce default risk, strengthen anti-fraud systems and transparency, enhance public-revenue and fiscal management and promote financial inclusion through mobile platforms and local fintech innovations.
Building an Intelligent and Sovereign Financial Future
Participants agreed on bold recommendations to transform Africa’s financial ecosystem: adopt a regional strategy for responsible and ethical AI in finance, develop African data infrastructures and cyber-resilience capacities, support startups and fintechs developing AI-based financial solutions, establish a regional framework for data governance and digital investment and strengthen digital and analytical skills for youth and financial professionals.
These orientations will feed into a regional roadmap for digital and sustainable finance, which ECA will implement in collaboration with governments, financial institutions, and development partners.
Brazzaville: Africa’s Emerging Capital of Financial Innovation
The choice of Brazzaville was symbolic. The Congolese capital hosts the African Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research (CARIA), a flagship institution supported by ECA to anchor AI research and innovation in African public policy.
“The Republic of the Congo aims to be a laboratory of innovation for Central Africa,” said Minister Léon Juste Ibombo. “When governed wisely, artificial intelligence amplifies human intelligence. It is a lever of efficiency and performance for our financial institutions.”
This ambition is enshrined in the National Development Plan 2022–2026, which places digital transformation at the heart of Congo’s economic diversification strategy.
Towards a Regional Coalition for Sustainable Digital Finance
The Brazzaville conference marked the launch of an African dialogue series on AI and finance, of which Congo is the first host. Beyond discussion, it laid the groundwork for a regional coalition for digital finance, bringing together financial institutions, policymakers, the private sector, and academia.
This initiative aligns with ECA’s vision to make Central Africa a hub of digital transformation, supporting: the development of national AI strategies, the integration of AI into economic and fiscal policy, and the mobilization of innovative and blended financing for sustainability.
“This gathering in Brazzaville marks a turning point,” concluded Jean Luc Mastaki.
“The challenge is no longer to adopt technology, but to master and govern it. By harnessing artificial intelligence, Africa can fast-track its financial sovereignty and sustainable development.”
The series will continue in 2026 across Central and West Africa, with Gabon already expressing interest in hosting the next stage—further strengthening regional momentum for digital innovation.
ECA–ACADYS: A strategic partnership in the era of UN80
This conference series reflects the policy vision of ECA Executive Secretary Claver Gatete, who positions digital technology and innovation at the core of Africa’s structural transformation. It also embodies the spirit of “UN 80”, the UN Secretary-General’s initiative promoting public-private partnerships for a smarter, fairer, and more resilient global economy.
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Note to Editors
About ECA: Established in 1958 by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is one of the UN’s five regional commissions. Its mandate is to promote the economic and social development of its member States, foster regional integration, and encourage international cooperation for Africa’s development.
Comprising 54 member States, ECA plays a dual role as both a regional arm of the United Nations and an integral part of Africa’s institutional landscape.
Learn more at www.uneca.org
About ACADYS: ACADYS International is an independent digital strategy consulting and audit firm that helps organizations navigate digital transformation. With over 25 years of experience, the firm focuses on designing digital strategies tailored to the specific needs of businesses and governments, with a particular emphasis on Francophone Africa.
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