About the platform
Global AI Economy
Global AI Economy is a global thought-leadership platform exploring the technologies, economic forces and strategic choices shaping the future of nations and societies.
The platform examines Artificial Intelligence, frontier and emerging technologies, Digital Public Infrastructure, data, advanced computing, robotics, biotechnology, quantum technologies, cybersecurity, digital economies and next-generation innovation ecosystems — and how these technologies are transforming economies, institutions, industries and global development.
The question we ask
Who will build, own and capture value from the technologies that define the next global economy?
With a particular focus on Africa and Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), Global AI Economy explores the intersection of technology, economics, policy, geopolitics and development.
The platform provides strategic insights, evidence-driven analysis and forward-looking perspectives on AI sovereignty, technology ecosystems, digital transformation, innovation, investment, skills, digital markets and the future of work. It examines how countries can move from technology consumers to technology creators, build sovereign and competitive capabilities, and translate frontier technologies into productivity, enterprise, jobs, inclusion and sustainable economic growth.
AI & frontier tech
AI, advanced computing, robotics, biotech, quantum and cybersecurity.
Digital public infrastructure
Identity, payments, data exchange and the platforms states run on.
Economies & policy
Investment, skills, markets, geopolitics and the future of work.
AI. Frontier Technologies. Digital Economies. The Future.
About the author
Dr Kudakwashe Dandajena, Ph.D.
Principal Programme Officer, Technology Strategy · AUDA-NEPAD
Dr Kudakwashe Dandajena is Principal Programme Officer for Technology Strategy at the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), where he is also Head of South-South Cooperation & Development and Head of Health Data, Digital Systems & Innovation in the Human Capital, Social and Institutional Development Directorate.
He holds a PhD in Computer Science, specialising in the optimisation of AI algorithms and frameworks, and brings more than 16 years of experience leading global and continent-scale digital platforms across Africa. He contributed to the African Union Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2024) and the STISA-2034 Implementation Plan, represents the African Union on the G20 digital track, and serves as a GPAI expert advisor to G20 and OECD countries on responsible AI.
He is the architect of sovereign-grade digital public infrastructure deployed across the 55 AU Member States and more than 60 countries — including Africa’s supercomputers, data centres, manufacturing plants for smart devices, and safety surveillance platforms for medical products that drove a 15-fold increase in Africa’s reporting to the WHO global database, VigiBase. He has led programmes, projects and investments worth more than US$500 million, and is a published AI researcher, faculty member and trusted CTO-level adviser to governments, regulators, development partners and private-sector leaders.
