Artificial intelligence (AI) is opening new possibilities for nonprofits across Africa, offering innovative ways to expand access to essential services, strengthen programme delivery, and address persistent challenges in sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and livelihoods. Yet, while the promise of AI is considerable, its true value lies not in the technology itself, but in how effectively it responds to the needs of communities and advances the missions of organisations working to create lasting social change.
A new report by The Bridgespan Group, titled Pursuing the Promise: A Guide for African Nonprofits to Advance Their Missions with AI, explores how African nonprofits and social enterprises are beginning to integrate AI into their work. Drawing on interviews and discussions with more than 40 nonprofits, social enterprises, funders, experts, and intermediaries across the continent, the research offers practical guidance for organisations seeking to understand whether, where, and how AI can contribute to their missions.
Moving Beyond Efficiency to Mission-Driven AI
Although AI is increasingly being used to improve everyday productivity, its potential extends far beyond administrative support, content creation, and routine tasks. For nonprofits, the greater opportunity lies in applying the technology directly to programmes and services in ways that improve outcomes, reach underserved populations, and strengthen the effectiveness of interventions. The report describes this approach as mission-driven AI: the use of artificial intelligence to strengthen, scale, or create programmes and services that directly advance an organisation’s social purpose.Despite widespread recognition of AI’s potential among those interviewed, relatively few organisations reported using it directly in their programmes or service delivery. This gap highlights an important distinction between adopting AI as a workplace tool and integrating it into the core of an organisation’s mission.
As Madhuri Mukherjee, Bridgespan partner and co-author of the research, explains: “The question for nonprofits isn’t ‘how do we use more AI?’ but ‘what problem are we solving, and is AI the right way to solve it?’ This involves looking beyond the technology to the organisation’s data, people, governance, as well as the communities at the centre,” said Madhuri Mukherjee, Bridgespan partner and co-author of the research. “That’s how adoption becomes responsible, helping nonprofits reach more people and deepen impact.
”This perspective places purpose before technology. Rather than pursuing AI simply because it is new or widely adopted, nonprofits are encouraged to begin with a clear understanding of the challenges they seek to address, the people they serve, and the outcomes they hope to achieve. Such an approach is particularly important in Africa, where organisations operate across diverse social, economic, linguistic, and technological contexts. A solution that works effectively in one setting may require substantial adaptation in another. Meaningful adoption therefore depends on understanding local realities and ensuring that technology complements, rather than displaces, the knowledge and experience of communities and frontline practitioners.
