In a rapidly evolving landscape, African nations are grappling with the question of who will control the infrastructure underpinning their burgeoning artificial intelligence (AI) sector. The debate was recently at the forefront during an April summit in Tangier, Morocco, where African Union ministers discussed AI strategies. As foreign tech companies invest in data centres, cloud services, and AI systems across Africa, concerns over control and governance have emerged. Governments such as Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, and Ghana are emphasizing the need for local capacity building and reduced reliance on foreign providers in their national AI strategies. The Africa Declaration on Artificial Intelligence, endorsed by 49 countries including the African Union, calls for increased investment in African AI infrastructure, talent, and innovation. However, translating ambition into policy has proven challenging, as demonstrated by a withdrawn draft national AI policy in South Africa due to unverified references generated by AI tools. As global competition over AI intensifies, African countries may find themselves with leverage due to the fragmented nature of the industry. Sanusha Naidu, a senior research fellow at the Institute for Global Dialogue, notes that diversification discussions can be more complex than they seem. The balance between attracting investment and ensuring strategic control is a crucial challenge facing African governments in the development of their digital futures.