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<p>Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformative potential to advance business sustainability; however, its application in the African context remains complex, unclear, and insufficiently explored. This scoping review systematically synthesized the evidence on how AI is being deployed to foster sustainable business practices across Africa. Guided by the PRISMA-ScR framework, the review analyzes 55 studies published between 2020 and 2025. The findings reveal that AI-related sustainability research is geographically concentrated in a few countries, primarily South Africa, Nigeria, and Ghana. Most studies focused on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), supply chain management, and financial services, reflecting the continent’s priority areas for digital transformation. Machine learning has emerged as the most widely applied technology, predominantly used to enhance operational efficiency and promote financial inclusion, whereas generative AI remains a rapidly growing research focus. Although the economic dimension of sustainability dominates the literature, considerable attention is also given to social and ethical concerns, including algorithmic bias, job displacement, and data governance. Key enablers of AI-driven business sustainability include national AI strategies, national digitalization initiatives, and FinTech integration, whereas major barriers include inadequate infrastructure, data scarcity, and skills shortages. The study concludes that unlocking AI’s potential for sustainable business transformation in Africa requires context-sensitive policies, sustained investment in digital infrastructure, human capital, and more robust empirical research to guide equitable and effective adoption.</p>

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A scoping review on the nexus between artificial intelligence and business sustainability in Africa

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月8日

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  • Alubel Kassaw Belete,
  • K.V. Ramana Murthy

摘要

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformative potential to advance business sustainability; however, its application in the African context remains complex, unclear, and insufficiently explored. This scoping review systematically synthesized the evidence on how AI is being deployed to foster sustainable business practices across Africa. Guided by the PRISMA-ScR framework, the review analyzes 55 studies published between 2020 and 2025. The findings reveal that AI-related sustainability research is geographically concentrated in a few countries, primarily South Africa, Nigeria, and Ghana. Most studies focused on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), supply chain management, and financial services, reflecting the continent’s priority areas for digital transformation. Machine learning has emerged as the most widely applied technology, predominantly used to enhance operational efficiency and promote financial inclusion, whereas generative AI remains a rapidly growing research focus. Although the economic dimension of sustainability dominates the literature, considerable attention is also given to social and ethical concerns, including algorithmic bias, job displacement, and data governance. Key enablers of AI-driven business sustainability include national AI strategies, national digitalization initiatives, and FinTech integration, whereas major barriers include inadequate infrastructure, data scarcity, and skills shortages. The study concludes that unlocking AI’s potential for sustainable business transformation in Africa requires context-sensitive policies, sustained investment in digital infrastructure, human capital, and more robust empirical research to guide equitable and effective adoption.