US urges African nations to build logistics, trade systems on American AI

The United States is urging African countries to build their logistics and trade infrastructure on American artificial intelligence systems, arguing that its technology offers stronger security, greater transparency and better protection of national data than competing ecosystems.

While speaking to journalists during the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) Logistics and Communications Symposium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, officials said artificial intelligence could “transform African logistics” through fleet prediction and demand forecasting that could hasten border processing through customs, “all critical for a continent whose competitiveness depends on the cost and reliability of moving goods, and for knitting together the AFCFTA single market.”

Mark Mitchell, deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Middle East and Africa at the International Trade Administration within the United States Department of Commerce said, “The real choice is not which chip or cloud to buy, but which ecosystem powers your growth for the next generation. Choose your ecosystem carefully and choose American”.

His remarks come as the US steps up efforts to win the competition with other global powers like China for influence over the continent’s fast-growing digital infrastructure and technology markets.

“When African nations choose US partners, they gain collaborators who strengthen their capacity to negotiate effectively, diversify supply chains, and shape global standards,” Mitchell said.

Responding to concerns about dependence on foreign technology, the official argued that AI sovereignty should not be equated with building every layer of the technology stack domestically.

“Complete technological self-containment is unrealistic for any country because the AI stack is too complex,” the official said. “Real AI sovereignty means owning and using best-in-class technology for the benefit of your people and nation.”

The US pitched the idea that American companies can help African governments deploy AI infrastructure while the logistics and trade data remain within national borders.

“Keep your data yours,” Mitchell said. “When American companies build it, it’s yours.”

Artificial intelligence systems are already being deployed in logistics intelligence, said Paul Filcek, director of logistics at USAFRICOM, posing AFRICOM’s A3I programme as a case study.

“A3I is assess, advise, advocate, and integrate. This provides targeted and meaningful military engagement to identify and address their most urgent operational needs in order to expand their capacity to nurture independence,” Filcek said.

He said A3I uses generative AI during the “advise” phase of the project to augment analysis and produce country-specific logistics reports for partner nations.

Earlier in the discussion, US officials outlined the country’s commercial strategy for Africa along key sectors, particularly American involvement in energy, digital infrastructure, critical minerals and logistics, where US companies were described as offering high standards of transparency and governance.

“Our private sector invests for the long term, helping to build durable, commercial ecosystems that strengthen the local institutions, that deepen the regulatory capacity, and that expand opportunities for African firms and workers,” officials pitched.

A programme called the Technical Assistance for Bankable Infrastructure in Africa (TABIA) is being developed by the US Departments of Commerce and State, hinging on “commercial diplomacy, data governance, and investment partnerships” with some countries including Nigeria, Kenya and Cote d’Ivoire,

TABIA is reportedly being designed to help African governments prepare infrastructure projects capable of attracting American investment and supporting local value.