AI Boom Sends PC Prices Soaring Across Africa

The growing demand for memory components to power artificial intelligence infrastructure is driving up computer prices and threatening to deepen a slowdown in Africa’s PC market. The shortage of memory components has largely been driven by the rapid expansion of AI, which has increased demand for high-bandwidth memory.

The impact is particularly pronounced in Africa, which accounts for about 1.5% of global PC shipments and remains highly-sensitive to price increases. The component price pressures are expected to persist into 2027 and potentially early 2028, creating further challenges for PC manufacturers, distributors, and buyers.

Consumers and organisations are likely to extend the lifespan of existing devices or consider cheaper alternatives, such as refurbished computers, as the higher cost of new computers changes purchasing patterns.