New IE–Accenture Report Shows How AI Can Transform Africa's Place in Global Trade

The Africa Program at the Global Policy Center, IE University, in collaboration with Accenture Africa, have jointly published the research paper "Leapfrogging Development: Unlocking Africa’s Potential in Global Value Chains with Artificial Intelligence." The public launch of the research took place at the Accenture South Africa office in Johannesburg as an official side event of the T20 South Africa Summit.  

This study maps how artificial intelligence can reshape Africa's role in global value chains by exploring anchor crops – cocoa, coffee, and sugarcane – across West, East, and Southern Africa (including Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, and South Africa). The analysis investigates applications such as traceability and compliance, quality grading, climate adaptation, logistics optimization, customs automation, and trade finance, highlighting how digital and AI-enabled solutions can elevate Africa from raw-commodity supplier to competitive value-adding participant in global agriculture. 

Co-authored by IE University's Beatrice Grace Aluoch Obado and Theodore Lechterman with Accenture Africa's Satish Nrusimhadevara and Mayuri Naik, the paper speaks directly to the priorities of the T20 Digitalization Task Force (TF2) by addressing digital public infrastructure, interoperability and data governance frameworks, and complements the agenda of the G20 AI Taskforce by offering evidence-based policy recommendations for responsible, human-centric AI deployment that boosts sustainability, productivity and inclusive trade.

"As this new research shows, AI is not simply a tool for optimization – when designed and governed properly it becomes a catalyst for changing Africa’s place in the world economy," says Eniola Harrison, Chair of the Africa Program. "This joint paper with Accenture South Africa paper charts a roadmap for Africa to leapfrog in global value chains, but only if we pair innovation with inclusion, regional coordination, and infrastructure investment."

"As an IE university alumna and Accenture Managing Director, I am proud to see this collaboration driving meaningful dialogue on how artificial intelligence can unlock Africa's potential in global value chain. Together, we are shaping strategies that combine innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity to create real impact on the continent," said Vari Mureriwa, Managing Director at Accenture and an IE Gurus and Griots Fellow.