By Our Correspondent
National News – Elizabeth Jack-Rich, Chief Executive Officer of ELIN Group, has declared that Africa will play a central role in shaping the future of the global Artificial Intelligence economy.
She made this known on April 25, 2026, during the UNLEASH Global Business Conference 2026 held at Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center in Washington, D.C., United States.
Speaking at the global gathering of business leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers, Jack-Rich challenged the popular belief that AI is purely software-driven.
She explained that AI growth depends heavily on physical resources such as power, computing infrastructure, copper, and rare earth minerals.
According to her, Africa’s abundant natural resources and industrial capacity position the continent as a key driver in the next phase of global technological advancement.
She stressed that the real opportunity lies beyond raw material supply, urging African operators to integrate across the value chain.
This includes mining, logistics, aviation, and power development, while engaging global investors competitively.
Jack-Rich noted that such strategic integration would enable Africa to move from being just a resource hub to becoming a critical backbone of the AI-driven global economy.
Highlighting her company’s vision, she said ELIN Group is building an operational platform designed to support industries that power AI systems globally.
She emphasised that the continent must move beyond dependency on aid and instead focus on building sustainable industrial ecosystems that attract global capital and partnerships.
The conference, themed “Building for What’s Next,” featured discussions on leadership, innovation, and resilience amid global economic shifts.
Jack-Rich also participated in a fireside chat on leadership in times of disruption alongside global figures from institutions like the World Bank and multinational corporations.
She concluded by reaffirming her commitment to advancing Africa’s role in the global economy, noting that the continent’s future lies in leveraging its resources, talent, and infrastructure to lead in emerging industries like AI.
