A recent report titled “AI Assistive Technologies (ATs) for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Africa“ provides an in-depth analysis of the current state, challenges, and future prospects of AI-based assistive technologies in the continent. Prepared by Josephine Kaaniru of Strathmore University in Nairobi and made possible by a grant provided by the International Development Research Center (IDRC), SIDA, and Artificial Intelligence for Development Africa, it seeks to highlight how these technologies can empower persons with disabilities by improving accessibility and promoting inclusion in both physical and digital spaces. At its core, the report addresses the disparity between the developed world and Africa in leveraging assistive technologies to support PWDs, and it presents a roadmap for the continent to overcome the barriers currently hindering the widespread use and development of these tools.
The report opens by contextualizing the need for assistive technologies, pointing out that the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 15% of the global population lives with some form of disability. In Africa, this percentage ranges between 10% and 20%, representing millions of individuals whose daily interactions are restricted due to inadequate accessibility. Despite increasing Information and Communications Technology (ICT) penetration across Africa, many PWDs continue to face substantial barriers, such as a lack of infrastructure, high costs of assistive tools, and limited availability of proper accessibility features. These limitations have resulted in a cycle of exclusion and marginalization for this vulnerable population, especially in the digital domain.
The report maps out the existing AI-based assistive technologies in Africa, recognizing some notable projects. Among them is AI4KSL, a Kenyan initiative that employs artificial intelligence to provide sign language translation from spoken English into Kenyan Sign Language (KSL) using virtual signing characters. This technology is designed to enhance the accessibility of digital content for the deaf community. Similarly, the Walk Again Project in Nigeria focuses on providing affordable 3D-printed prosthetic limbs for amputees, utilizing the Brain-Machine Interface (BMI) to integrate robotic devices with the nervous system, thus enabling individuals with physical disabilities to regain mobility. Another example is the Cure Bionics project in Tunisia, which uses 3D printing and AI to create affordable bionic limbs and exoskeletons for persons with physical impairments. Despite these innovations, the report emphasizes that most AI assistive technologies used in Africa are developed outside the continent by large Western technology companies, such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Google, which have access to more resources and extensive datasets.
The primary barriers impeding the development and deployment of AI assistive technologies in Africa are multifaceted. One of the most significant challenges identified is the lack of comprehensive and representative datasets. Many AI models, including those used in assistive technologies, rely on large volumes of data for training. However, African developers struggle to access such datasets, particularly those in local languages, resulting in technologies that are often unable to address the specific needs of African PWDs. This lack of data is further exacerbated by the dominance of Western technology companies that have the resources to collect and utilize massive datasets, leaving local startups and individual developers at a disadvantage.
In addition to data-related challenges, the report highlights the issue of inadequate funding for assistive technology projects. In Africa, around 43% of assistive technology innovations are spearheaded by startups. Unfortunately, these startups often lack access to early-stage seed funding and rely on international donors or government grants to get started. The lack of venture capital investments in the field makes it difficult for these projects to reach sustainability, which is essential for scaling and continuous improvement. Consequently, promising initiatives frequently stall due to financial constraints.
The report also underscores the significant digital skills gap across the continent. While digital literacy is improving in countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa, most other African nations lag far behind. This gap limits the ability of local talent to develop and maintain AI systems and contributes to the displacement of African workforces by foreign experts. Furthermore, persons with disabilities are less likely to own smartphones or have access to the internet compared to their non-disabled counterparts, which limits their ability to benefit from existing assistive technologies.
Policy challenges also play a critical role in hindering the growth of assistive technologies in Africa. Although African countries have made strides in adopting frameworks to protect the rights of PWDs, many of these policies are not adequately implemented. They tend to focus on the biomedical aspects of disability and overlook the need for technological solutions that can facilitate PWDs’ participation in the digital economy. Without specific policies that support the development and adoption of assistive technologies, these tools remain inaccessible to most African PWDs.
Looking towards the future, the report makes a strong case for the necessity of developing AT-specific national policies that can address the current challenges of data access, funding, and digital skills gaps. Such policies would also promote the integration of assistive technologies into the healthcare sector, ensuring that PWDs receive comprehensive support. These policies could establish a national body tasked with providing resources and technical support to stakeholders, as well as consulting with PWD groups to ensure their voices are heard in the development process.
The report also advocates for the establishment of a robust data infrastructure that allows for the collection, storage, and analysis of diverse datasets representing African languages and cultural contexts. This would enable the development of AI models that are more responsive to local needs. Furthermore, the report suggests that governments and private entities create partnerships to secure funding for assistive technology research and development, making use of innovative financial instruments such as government-issued tax exemptions to encourage investment in this field.
The future implications of this report are significant. The demand for assistive technologies is expected to double by 2050, and without strategic planning and investment, the gap between Africa and the rest of the world in providing support for PWDs will only widen. If African countries take the recommended steps to develop supportive policies, invest in data infrastructure, and build digital skills, they could potentially transform the assistive technology landscape on the continent. This would not only improve the quality of life for PWDs but also enhance their ability to participate fully in society, thereby contributing to economic growth and social inclusion.