“DeepSeek’s success reflects growing Chinese momentum across Africa, a trend that may continue to accelerate in 2026.” – Microsoft – January 2026
The quote originates from Microsoft’s Global AI Adoption in 2025 report, published by the company’s AI Economy Institute and detailed in a January 2026 blog post on ‘On the Issues’. It highlights the rapid ascent of DeepSeek, a Chinese open-source AI platform, in African markets. Microsoft notes that DeepSeek’s free access and strategic partnerships have driven adoption rates 2 to 4 times higher in Africa than in other regions, positioning it as a key factor in China’s expanding technological influence.4,5
Backstory on the Source: Microsoft’s Perspective
Microsoft, a global technology leader with deep investments in AI through partnerships like OpenAI, tracks worldwide AI diffusion to inform its strategy. The 2025 report analyses user data across countries, revealing how accessibility shapes adoption. While Microsoft acknowledges its stake in broader AI proliferation, the analysis remains data-driven, emphasising DeepSeek’s role in underserved markets without endorsing geopolitical shifts.1,2,4
DeepSeek holds significant market shares in Africa: 16-20% in Ethiopia, Tunisia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Madagascar; 11-14% in Uganda and Niger. This contrasts with low uptake in North America and Europe, where Western models dominate.1,2,3
DeepSeek: The Chinese AI Challenger
Founded in 2023, DeepSeek is a Hangzhou-based startup rivalling OpenAI’s ChatGPT with cost-effective, open-source models under an MIT licence. Its free chatbot eliminates barriers like subscription fees or credit cards, appealing to price-sensitive regions. The January 2025 release of its R1 model, praised in Nature as a ‘landmark paper’ co-authored by founder Liang Wenfeng, demonstrated advanced reasoning for math and coding at lower costs.2,4
Strategic distribution via Huawei phones as default chatbots, plus partnerships and telecom integrations, propelled its growth. Adoption peaks in China (89%), Russia (43%), Belarus (56%), Cuba (49%), Iran (25%), and Syria (23%). Microsoft warns this could serve as a ‘geopolitical instrument’ for Chinese influence where US services face restrictions.2,3,4
Broader Implications for Africa and the Global South
Africa’s AI uptake accelerates via free platforms like DeepSeek, potentially onboarding the ‘next billion users’ from the global South. Factors include Huawei’s infrastructure push and awareness campaigns. However, concerns arise over biases, such as restricted political content aligned with Chinese internet access, and security risks prompting bans in the US, Australia, Germany, and even Microsoft internally.1,2
Leading Theorists on AI Geopolitics and Global Adoption
- Lavista Ferres (Microsoft AI researcher): Leads the lab behind the report. Observes DeepSeek’s technical strengths but notes political divergences, predicting influence on global discourse.2
- Liang Wenfeng (DeepSeek founder): Drives open-source innovation, authoring peer-reviewed work on efficient AI models that challenge US dominance.2
- Walid Kéfi (AI commentator): Analyses Africa’s generative AI surge, crediting free platforms for scaling adoption amid infrastructure challenges.1
These insights underscore a pivotal shift: AI’s future hinges on openness and accessibility, reshaping power dynamics between US and Chinese ecosystems.4
References
5. https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2026/01/08/global-ai-adoption-in-2025/
6. https://www.cryptopolitan.com/microsoft-says-china-beating-america-in-ai/
