Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the way organizations operate worldwide. So, just think about how it is altering lives in the healthcare, education, and even farming world by empowering the farmers for more intelligent decisions. Exciting, isn’t it? However, the catch is not all the countries or organizations have access to such a technology.
While other nations are investing billions in AI, some African countries still face major challenges such as low internet connectivity, technology and infrastructure deficits, and expensive hardware. So, what does this mean for African NGOs and nonprofits? It means they find it difficult to implement AI even if they have innovative solutions that could impact thousands.
At the heart of the matter, Cassava Technologies and The Rockefeller Foundation have partnered to make AI compute available to African social impact organizations. The pilot will catalyze change across sectors, across the continent, in areas like agriculture, healthcare, and education. The real aim of this pilot is to help enable African organizations to build the tools to serve their communities.
This is yet another milestone where African organizations aren’t sitting passively at the end of the consumer chain, taking whatever AI tools come their way. Instead, they’re raising their hands and working to build their own AI applications, and that’s definitely worth supporting.
Why Does Africa Need Better Access to AI Technology?
AI has the potential to improve many aspects of everyday life. However, developing and running AI applications requires more than just a computer and an internet connection. It also requires powerful computing systems, specialized processors, and data centers.
These resources help AI systems process large amounts of information, learn from data, and provide useful results.
Unfortunately, access to this infrastructure remains limited in many parts of Africa.
According to the information shared in the partnership announcement, nearly one in five people worldwide lives in Africa, but the continent has less than 1% of the world’s data center capacity.
This difference highlights an important challenge. Africa has a growing population, talented young people, innovative businesses, and organizations working on important social issues. However, limited technology infrastructure can make it difficult for them to fully participate in the global AI economy.
For NGOs, the problem can be even more challenging.
Many nonprofit organizations work with limited budgets and small teams. They often have to manage several responsibilities, including fundraising, project implementation, reporting, and community support. Investing in expensive technology and computing systems may not be possible for them.
For example, an NGO working with farmers may want to develop an AI tool that provides weather updates, identifies crop diseases, and shares farming advice in local languages. Similarly, a healthcare organization may want to create an AI assistant that helps pregnant women access important health information.
These ideas could make a real difference, but developing such tools requires technical resources and financial support.
This is why improving access to AI infrastructure is so important. It can help organizations turn their ideas into practical solutions without having to invest in expensive technology on their own.
What Is the Partnership Between Cassava Technologies and The Rockefeller Foundation About?
Under this collaboration, Cassava Technologies will provide access to computing resources to selected organizations supported by The Rockefeller Foundation.
The initiative will initially support organizations working in eight African countries:
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Liberia
- Nigeria
- Rwanda
- Sierra Leone
- Zimbabwe
The focus is on helping African-led organizations use AI to improve their work in areas such as agriculture, healthcare, and education.
To understand the importance of this initiative, it is useful to know what computing resources actually mean.
AI systems need powerful computers to process information and perform complex tasks. One important technology used for this purpose is called a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU).
Unlike ordinary computer processors, GPUs can handle many calculations at the same time. This makes them especially useful for developing and running AI applications.
Cassava Technologies is working to make these resources available through its GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS) offering.
In simple terms, this service allows organizations to access powerful computing resources without purchasing expensive equipment or building their own data centers.
This can make AI development more affordable and accessible, especially for organizations that do not have large technology budgets.
Cassava is also investing in AI infrastructure across different parts of Africa, with facilities powered by NVIDIA technology. These investments are intended to strengthen the continent’s ability to develop and use AI solutions.
The larger goal is to create an environment where African organizations, businesses, researchers, and developers have the resources to build technology that responds to local needs.
Three African Organizations Already Using AI to Create Positive Change
One of the most encouraging parts of this partnership is that it supports organizations already using technology to solve real-world problems.
Let’s understand how three of these organizations are using AI to improve people’s lives.
1. Digital Green: Helping Farmers Make Better Decisions
Agriculture is an important source of income and employment for millions of people across Africa. However, small farmers often struggle with problems such as changing weather conditions, crop diseases, limited farming knowledge, and poor access to agricultural advice.
Digital Green is working to address these challenges through technology.
The organization operates in countries such as Ethiopia and Kenya and uses AI to help smallholder farmers access useful agricultural information.
One of its important tools is Farmer. Chat, an AI-powered assistant that provides farmers with practical farming guidance.
For example, farmers can use this tool to ask questions about growing crops, managing common farming problems, and improving agricultural practices. Instead of depending entirely on traditional sources of information, they can receive guidance through an accessible digital platform.
The new partnership could help Digital Green improve Farmer. Chat and make it more useful for farmers.
With better computing resources, the organization can work on:
- Local language support: Helping farmers access agricultural information in languages they understand.
- Voice-based communication: Allowing farmers to ask questions and receive answers through voice rather than depending only on written text.
- Crop disease identification: Using images to help recognize possible crop problems.
- Better agricultural advice: Improving the quality and relevance of information provided to farmers.
According to Rikin Gandhi, CEO of Digital Green, access to GPUs within Africa could help reduce costs and make it possible to bring agricultural guidance to millions of farmers.
This is particularly important for farmers living in rural areas, where access to agricultural experts and reliable information may be limited.
By making farming knowledge easier to access, AI can help farmers make more informed decisions and improve their ability to deal with changing agricultural conditions.
2. Jacaranda Health: Using AI to Support Mothers and Children
Access to quality healthcare is still a major challenge in many African communities, especially for women living in areas with limited medical facilities.
Pregnant women and new mothers may not always have access to doctors, healthcare workers, or reliable information about pregnancy and childcare.
Jacaranda Health is using technology to help improve healthcare services for mothers and their children in Kenya.
The organization is developing AI-powered tools that help women access important health information and connect with support when they need it.
The partnership with Cassava Technologies and The Rockefeller Foundation could help Jacaranda Health improve these tools by providing access to more advanced computing resources.
This could support several important improvements:
- Healthcare information in local languages: Helping mothers understand important health guidance in languages they are comfortable with.
- Better communication: Making health information easier to access through digital platforms.
- Locally relevant AI tools: Developing technology that better understands the needs and experiences of women in local communities.
- Wider access to support: Helping more women receive useful health information, including those living far from healthcare facilities.
According to Cynthia Kahumbura, Co-Executive Director of Jacaranda Health, access to advanced computing resources could help the organization develop better multilingual AI models while reducing costs.
This could make it easier to reach more women with important health information.
However, it is important to remember that AI should support healthcare workers rather than replace doctors or medical professionals. Healthcare decisions require proper medical knowledge, human judgment, and professional care.
3. Rising Academies: Improving Education Through Artificial Intelligence
Education is another area where AI can make a meaningful difference.
Many schools in African countries face challenges such as limited learning materials, large classrooms, a shortage of teachers, and unequal access to quality education.
Rising Academies is using technology to improve learning opportunities for students across Ghana, Liberia, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone.
The organisation works with more than 250,000 students and is exploring how AI can make teaching and learning more effective.
Its work in Rwanda provides some interesting examples of how AI can support education.
According to Rising Academies:
- More than 13,000 students gained access to structured literacy and numeracy learning materials.
- Teachers reduced their grading time by 60% using an AI-powered tool called LearnLens.
- Around 85% of learners said they enjoyed using Rori, an AI-powered tool that helps students improve their mathematics skills.
These results show how technology can support both teachers and students.
For teachers, AI tools can reduce the time spent on repetitive tasks such as grading and help them focus more on teaching.
For students, AI-powered learning tools can provide additional opportunities to practise subjects, understand difficult topics, and improve their skills.
With access to more computing resources, Rising Academies hopes to improve its existing tools and make educational support more accessible.
The larger aim is to ensure that children in rural and underserved communities also get opportunities to benefit from modern educational technology.
Four Ways Better AI Infrastructure Can Help African NGOs
The partnership between Cassava Technologies and The Rockefeller Foundation is about more than simply providing access to computers. It could help create new opportunities for NGOs and other social impact organisations.
Here are four important ways better AI infrastructure can support their work.
1. Making AI More Affordable for NGOs
Largest hurdle to using AI? Cost.
Creating AI apps requires a significant amount of technology, human resources and regular investments. If your NGO is small, you may not be able to afford to build your own technology infrastructure.
But, here’s the thing: services like GPU-as-a-Service enable organizations to access this computing power without the high cost of investing in costly equipment.
What this could mean for your nonprofit is that it enables you to test out AI, improve your existing solutions, and develop new solutions-all at a competitive budget.
2. Developing AI Tools in Local Languages
Ever considered how a language barrier might hinder your use of technology? It’s significant! For example, several popular AI platforms are optimized for larger languages, especially English. But communities in Africa speak hundreds of different languages, and it can be difficult for those who prefer their native languages to benefit from the same applications and features.
As the continent gains easier access to computing resources, organizations can focus on creating AI that understands our local tongues. We could have farmers receive agricultural tips in their native language or mothers get medical information without the headache of deciphering the confusing medical jargon. That’s real impact right there.
3. Creating Solutions for Local Problems
Not every community faces the same challenges.
A farming community may need better weather information and crop advice, while a rural healthcare centre may need tools to improve communication with patients.
AI solutions developed in one country may not always work effectively in another because local languages, cultures, environments, and needs are different.
When African organisations have access to their own computing resources, they can develop tools based on local information and real community experiences.
This makes it possible to create solutions that are more relevant and useful to the people they are designed to support.
4. Creating More Opportunities for African Innovators
Africa has a growing number of young entrepreneurs, researchers, developers, and social innovators.
However, limited access to advanced technology can prevent many talented people from turning their ideas into practical products and services.
Investing in local AI infrastructure could encourage more innovation by giving people the resources they need to experiment, learn, and develop new applications.
It could also create opportunities for collaboration between NGOs, universities, technology companies, and local communities.
Over time, this may help strengthen Africa’s technology sector and create new employment opportunities.
What Does This Mean for the Future of NGOs?
For NGOs, this partnership highlights an important change in how technology can support social development.
Until now, many discussions about AI in the nonprofit sector have focused on tools that help organisations write reports, prepare proposals, manage data, create content, and save administrative time.
However, AI has the potential to support much more than everyday office work.
In the coming years, NGOs may increasingly use AI to:
- Identify communities that need support during emergencies.
- Provide farmers with information about weather and crop management.
- Improve access to healthcare information in rural areas.
- Develop personalised learning resources for students.
- Analyse project data and understand community needs.
- Improve the delivery of essential services.
For smaller NGOs, access to affordable technology could make it easier to explore these opportunities without needing to build everything from the beginning.
It could also help organisations work more efficiently, reach more people, and improve the quality of their programmes.
However, adopting AI should not become the main goal for NGOs. The real purpose should be to use technology where it can make their work more effective and create meaningful benefits for the communities they serve.
Challenges That Still Need to Be Addressed
Although this partnership is a positive development, providing access to AI computing resources is only one part of the solution.
There are still several challenges that African NGOs and social impact organisations need to consider.
Limited internet and electricity access
Some rural communities still struggle with unreliable electricity and internet connectivity. Even if an organisation has access to advanced AI technology, using it may be difficult without basic digital infrastructure.
Lack of technical knowledge
Not every NGO has employees who understand how AI works or how to manage AI-powered applications. Training and technical support will be important to help organisations use these resources effectively.
Data privacy and security
NGOs often work with sensitive information about children, patients, farmers, refugees, and other vulnerable communities. They must ensure that personal information is protected when using AI tools.
Long-term financial support
Access to computing resources can reduce some costs, but organisations still need funding to maintain their applications, train employees, and continue their work.
Responsible use of AI
AI systems can sometimes provide incorrect information or produce biased results. NGOs must review AI-generated information carefully, especially when it relates to healthcare, education, and people’s livelihoods.
Addressing these challenges will be important to ensure that AI benefits communities safely and fairly.
Conclusion: Building an AI Future That Includes Everyone
Cassava Technologies and The Rockefeller Foundation collaboration is changing the face of how to democratize AI in Africa! Now you can harness AI at your doorstep!
This project will give organizations in 8 African countries access to compute to advance AI solutions in agriculture, healthcare, and education. For example: Digital Green, Jacaranda Health, and Rising Academies are already deploying AI to solve real problems – from connecting farmers to agricultural advisory services, to providing mothers with health information, and opening up education for children.
Now let me tell you: this kind of partnership demonstrates what open access to technology is about for smaller organizations. AI shouldn’t be just for the head of the technology billionaires club or country clubs. NGOs and local groups should be able to benefit from technology, as well.
But here’s the thing-technology isn’t the solution to every challenge. An educated workforce, reliable infrastructure, and smart decision making are just as important. The point of AI is that it should not replace people, but get out of their way, and give them the power to change things for the better.
However, as Africa builds out its digital future, initiatives such as this could help to empower local nonprofits to take part in the development of AI solutions, rather than having to adopt solutions from elsewhere. For the nonprofit sector, the future looks bright: a world in which even smaller organisations will be able to access the tools to make a difference.
