AI investment influence expands across southern African sectors

According to the Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA) 2026 Venture Capital Industry Survey, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning accounted for only 1.6% of venture capital deals as a standalone category in southern Africa in 2025. While information and communications technology (ICT) dominated with 62.7% of deals, experts suggest the standalone figure understates the technology's actual impact.

Stephen Lamprecht, founder of VS Nova and a research partner on the survey, noted that AI is increasingly being absorbed into various application areas rather than remaining a separate investment category. He stated that AI is becoming embedded across all sectors, including healthcare, financial services, and agriculture, driving innovation throughout the economy.

During the SAVCA VC Conference, Jason Goldberg of Edge Growth described AI as a general-purpose technology comparable to the steam engine or electricity. Goldberg warned that business leaders risk failure if they attempt to evaluate exponential technological growth through a linear lens.