Bridge The Digital Divide: David Edoja’s Quest to Empowering Africa With AI

In a rapidly evolving world, the transformative potential of technology is undeniable, yet the opportunities to access are not inclusive enough. Amidst this digital landscape, a visionary leader emerges with a fervent mission to bridge the divide and empower Africa with the boundless possibilities of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Meet David Edoja, CEO of Analytics Intelligence, whose journey is rooted in a profound belief in the power of data and AI to revolutionize the continent’s future. In this exclusive interview with THISDAY, David shares his unwavering commitment to leveraging AI to drive innovation, uplift societies, and propel Africa into a new era of prosperity. Embark on an inspiring exploration as we delve into David Edoja’s quest to empower Africa with AI, breaking barriers, and shaping a brighter, more inclusive future for all.
 

 Can you tell us about your background and how you became involved in the field of AI and analytics?

  Certainly! My journey into the world of AI and analytics began with a solid foundation in digital analytics for e-commerce and digital marketing in the UK, where I’ve spent about 17 years gaining valuable experience, leading Digital Analytics teams in British Telecoms, Vodafone UK, Wiley-Blackwell, Avis amongst many others. During this time, I very quickly observed a growing shortage of skilled data analysts, and it became clear to me that businesses were struggling to interpret the vast amounts of digital data available to them and being created from digital transformation efforts. Recognizing the importance of data-driven decision-making, I decided to explore the field of artificial intelligence to develop solutions that could help bridge this gap.

  How do you maintain a work-life balance while leading a dynamic company like [AI] Analytics Intelligence Africa?

  Maintaining a work-life balance is of utmost importance to me. While leading a dynamic company like [AI] Analytics Intelligence can be demanding, I prioritize setting aside dedicated time for my family and personal well-being. I’ve learned the value of taking time off work to spend quality moments with my loved ones and recharge my energy.
Additionally, I am fortunate to have an exceptional leadership team managing [AI] Analytics Intelligence Africa. This competent team allows me to delegate responsibilities and trust that the business is in good hands. This balance enables me to focus on the company’s global growth strategy while ensuring I have time for my personal life.
 

  What is the long-term vision and mission of [AI] Analytics Intelligence Africa, and how do you plan to achieve it?

  Our long-term vision for [AI] Analytics Intelligence Africa is to revolutionize the way African businesses leverage and utilize their data with advanced technologies in artificial intelligence. We aim to be at the forefront of driving digital transformation on the continent by providing innovative analytics and AI solutions. Our mission is to empower businesses in Africa to compete globally, drive economic development, and create lasting positive impacts on the communities we serve.

To achieve this vision, we have a multi-faceted approach. Firstly, we are committed to investing in research and development to continuously enhance our AI and data analytics offerings. By staying at the cutting edge of technological advancements, we can provide our clients with the most effective and tailored solutions.

Secondly, we are dedicated to understanding the unique needs and challenges of the African market starting here in Nigeria. By working closely with local businesses and government entities such as The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), we ensure that our solutions address the specific requirements of the region.

Additionally, we plan to play an active role in nurturing AI talent in Africa through our [AI] Academy service. Our goal is to train and empower five million African youths in the fields of data analytics and artificial intelligence. By equipping the next generation with these essential skills, we hope to contribute to a sustainable and innovative tech ecosystem in Africa.

  From your perspective, what are the key challenges and opportunities for AI adoption in Africa?

  Africa presents both unique challenges and exciting opportunities for AI adoption. One of the key challenges is the digital divide, where access to reliable internet connectivity and technological infrastructure varies across different regions. Addressing this disparity is crucial to ensuring that AI solutions can be effectively deployed to reach businesses and communities in all corners of the continent.
Another challenge is the shortage of skilled AI professionals and data scientists. To fully leverage AI’s potential, Africa needs to invest in developing a robust talent pool. This requires fostering STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education, providing training opportunities, and encouraging AI research at educational institutions.

Despite these challenges, there are immense opportunities for AI adoption in Africa. AI has the potential to drive significant economic growth, enhance operational efficiency, and solve pressing societal challenges. From optimizing supply chains in agriculture to improving healthcare diagnostics and expanding financial inclusion, AI can revolutionize various sectors and uplift communities. By leveraging AI, African businesses can gain a competitive edge and participate actively in the global digital economy.

Furthermore, Africa’s vast and diverse datasets, combined with AI technologies, can fuel groundbreaking research and innovation, these diverse datasets can also help address and balance out some of the biases in machine learning training datasets available AI developers globally.

  How do you envision AI and data analytics transforming businesses and societies in Africa over the next decade?

  With the very rapid development of AI happening globally, governments and businesses in Africa will have no choice but to adopt these changes. Over the next decade, AI and data analytics will catalyze transformation across various sectors in Africa. Businesses will witness a paradigm shift in decision-making processes as data-driven insights become integral to their operations. AI-powered predictive analytics will enable businesses to anticipate customer preferences, optimize production processes, and develop personalized services.
In the healthcare sector, I believe AI will play a pivotal role in early disease detection and remote patient monitoring. This will lead to improved healthcare outcomes and better resource management, especially in underserved areas.

If adopted correctly, AI-driven solutions will empower African governments to address social challenges more efficiently. From optimizing public transportation and managing urban planning to enhancing agricultural productivity and disaster response, AI can enable governments to make informed decisions that positively impact citizens’ lives.

Ultimately, the widespread adoption of AI and data analytics in Africa has the potential to accelerate economic development, improve the standard of living, and foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across the continent.

  How does [AI] Analytics Intelligence Africa address data privacy and security concerns in its AI and analytics solutions?

  Data privacy and security are of paramount importance at [AI] Analytics Intelligence. With our extensive experience in working with data in the UK for many years, we have operated within the strict GDPR standards and helped numerous clients implement GDPR policies across their digital estate. To ensure the utmost protection of client’s data, we have implemented robust data encryption protocols and privacy-by-design principles in our AI and analytics solutions.

In fact, [AI] Analytics Intelligence Africa played a pivotal role in Nigeria as a key contributor to the National Data and Privacy Strategy developed by NITDA in early 2022. This involvement demonstrates our commitment to aligning our practices with local regulations and industry standards to safeguard the data of our clients and their customers. By adhering to the highest data protection standards and actively contributing to the development of data and privacy policies in Nigeria, we aim to foster trust, build credibility, and set a benchmark for data privacy in the African market. This commitment, coupled with our expertise in AI and data analytics, allows us to lead the charge in promoting responsible and ethical data practices across the continent.

Additionally, our solutions are designed with privacy-by-design principles, ensuring that data is anonymized and aggregated wherever possible to protect individual identities. Two examples of these are the focus our parent company needs to develop Private Large Language Models (PLLM) for data analysis, this ensures that client’s private data are not used to train large language models that are accessible to all like ChatGPT. At the same time, if a client wants to use such advanced and cutting-edge language models like GPT4 from OpenAI, we can fine-tune a model for them with our proprietary DataSyntax software library developed to ensure security and privacy with publicly available models.

Lastly, we are transparent about our data practices and provide clear explanations to our clients regarding the data we collect, how it is used, and the benefits they can expect from our solutions. To further enhance data security, we continuously invest in research and development to stay ahead of emerging cybersecurity threats. Our teams work diligently to identify potential vulnerabilities and implement proactive measures to mitigate risks.

  What steps is your company taking to stay at the forefront of AI research and development in the African context?

  As a company committed to innovation, [AI] Analytics Intelligence Africa places a strong emphasis on staying at the forefront of AI research and development in the African context. We have established strategic partnerships with government agencies such as Nigeria’s National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), and industry-leading AI companies such as NVIDIA to ensure that we are at the forefront and participating in developing various AI initiatives both in Nigeria and across the continent.

These collaborations enable us to engage in cutting-edge research, access diverse datasets, and work with top AI talent in the region. By actively participating in the African AI development community, we can contribute to and benefit from advancements in AI that are tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities present in Africa.

Furthermore, as mentioned in my answer to one of your other questions, at [AI] Analytics Intelligence Africa we foster a culture of continuous learning, our data scientists and AI specialists are encouraged to attend conferences, workshops, and training programs to stay updated on the latest trends and developments in AI. Internally, we allocate significant resources to research and development, enabling us to invest in the creation of new AI solutions and the enhancement of our existing products. By combining global best practices with localized expertise, we aim to develop AI solutions that are impactful and relevant to the African market.

  Can you share your perspective on the potential socio-economic impact of AI on job markets in Africa and how your company contributes to upskilling and reskilling initiatives?

The potential socio-economic impact of AI on job markets in Africa is immense and holds great promise for the continent’s development. While there are concerns about job displacement due to automation, we believe that AI can create new opportunities and drive positive change in the workforce.

AI adoption in Africa has the potential to enhance productivity, optimize processes, and create new industries, leading to increased economic growth and job creation. As AI becomes more prevalent across various sectors, there will be a growing demand for skilled AI professionals, data scientists, and developers who can harness the power of AI to drive innovation and solve complex problems.

At [AI] Analytics Intelligence Africa, we recognize the significance of nurturing a skilled AI workforce to leverage the opportunities AI brings. To contribute to the upskilling and reskilling of the next generation of workers, we have launched [AI] Academy, a comprehensive training initiative focused on data analytics and artificial intelligence.

Through [AI] Academy, we are committed to providing accessible and practical training programs to African youths. Our aim is to equip them with the essential skills and knowledge required to succeed in the evolving job market driven by AI technologies. The academy offers hands-on learning experiences, real-world projects, and industry insights, ensuring that students gain practical expertise that aligns with market demands.

Additionally, our [AI] Community initiative plays a crucial role in building a vibrant ecosystem of developers and professionals who can build and implement AI applications effectively.

With this, [AI] Analytics Intelligence Africa is playing an integral role in preparing Africa’s workforce for the AI-driven future. We firmly believe that by empowering individuals with AI expertise, we can help unlock the full potential of AI adoption in Africa, drive economic growth, and positively impact societies across the continent.

  What exciting innovations or developments can we expect to see from [AI] Analytics Intelligence Africa soon?

  One area we are focused on is expanding the capabilities of our low-code machine learning platform Powered by [AI]. We plan to integrate more advanced AI algorithms in computer vision, generative AI from large language models being trained on African specific datasets.
Additionally, we are working on a long-term solutions strategy that addresses specific challenges faced by industries in Africa. From optimizing logistics and supply chain management in agriculture to revolutionizing financial services through AI-driven risk assessment and fraud detection, our goal is to create tailored solutions that cater to the unique needs of African businesses.

Working with partners across the African continent, we plan to apply our algorithms to partners developing AI-powered applications designed to drive social impact. These applications will focus on improving healthcare access, promoting sustainable practices in energy and water management, and enhancing educational experiences through personalized learning platforms.