A Review of Africa's Paths for Inclusive Innovation in Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Artificial Intelligence

Across the world, emerging technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) are transforming governance, agriculture, healthcare, and education. However, the widespread adoption of such innovations in Africa is often constrained by socioeconomic, cultural, and infrastructural barriers. This review explores the relationship between AI and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) as a pathway towards inclusive innovation suited to African realities. Drawing upon case studies, policy reports, and peer-reviewed literature, it examines the application of AI in digital learning, telemedicine, diagnostics, and climate-smart agriculture. The integration of IKS aims to enhance sustainability, cultural relevance, and community ownership of AI-driven initiatives. Ethical issues such as algorithmic bias, data governance, and regulatory challenges are critically examined, particularly in relation to marginalised populations. The paper highlights opportunities to employ IKS in creating transparent, participatory, and socially responsive AI frameworks. It concludes with strategic recommendations for embedding AI into African innovation ecosystems through policy alignment, community-led research, and digital skills development. The study argues that combining AI and IKS can bridge the divide between traditional knowledge and modern informatics, fostering sustainable, equitable, and context-sensitive development across Africa. Keywords: Artificial intelligence, Indigenous knowledge systems, Inclusive innovation, Digital skills, Ethical AI, Africa, Sustainable development