By Sarafina Christopher
Dr Elizabeth Jack-Rich, an entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer of ELIN Group, says Africa is central to the future of the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) economy.
Jack-Rich, in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja, said that the continent’s resource base and industrial potential would play a defining role in shaping the next phase of technological advancement.
The chief executive officer spoke at the UNLEASH Global Business Conference 2026, held on April 25 at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Centre in Washington, D.C.
Jack-Rich challenged conventional narratives around AI, stressing that its foundations extended far beyond software.
“Everyone discusses AI like it is a software story; no, it is not; it is a physics story.’’
She said that the rapid expansion of AI technologies was profoundly dependent on physical infrastructure and raw materials.
“It is about power, computer, copper, rare earths, and the industrial services needed to move, extract, and refine all of that.’’
Jack-Rich said that Africa’s importance in the AI ecosystem was often underestimated.
According to her, while the continent is widely recognised for its vast mineral resources, the real opportunity lies in building integrated industrial capacity.
“Africa has a meaningful role in this; what is often underestimated is not Africa’s status as a major supplier of these minerals, but the fact that the next decade will reward operators on the continent.
“It will reward operators who can integrate across the entire value chain from mining to aviation, logistics, and power and engage with global capital on equal terms.’’
According to her, this perspective is driving her company’s strategic direction.
“That is the bet I am making with ELIN group not investing in Africa as a sentiment; we are beyond aid, but building an operating platform that the AI economy depends on, which is the African economy,” she said.
The UNLEASH Global Business Conference 2026, themed “Building for What’s Next,” brought together MBA students, entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and policymakers for high-level discussions on leadership, innovation, and resilience in a rapidly evolving global economy.
The event was co-hosted by the Africa Business Club, Women in Business Graduate Club, and Net Impact Club at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School.
Jack-Rich featured as both a keynote speaker and a panellist in a fireside chat titled “Leadership in the Age of Disruption: Identity, Power, & Impact.”
She joined global leaders, including Denise Fall of Johnson & Johnson and Tolani Alli of the World Bank in a session that examined how leadership is evolving in the face of global uncertainty and emerging market dynamics.
Participants described the discussions as insightful and forward-looking, particularly for young professionals and emerging leaders navigating sustainability challenges and economic volatility.
Jack-Rich expressed appreciation for the opportunity to contribute to global dialogue and reiterated her commitment towards advancing Africa’s role in shaping the future of the global economy.(NAN)
Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo
