By cisco
Publication Date: 2026-01-29 13:00:00
In recent years, Cisco has expanded its already strong focus on development in Africa. And Katsoudas has been a prime mover in that effort. In a Semafor interview, she shared key insights on development, skills training, and the potential for AI in Africa.
As Katsoudas pointed out, Cisco’s latest AI Readiness Index showed that only 13 percent of companies globally are fully AI ready. South Africa, however, revealed an interesting dynamic that speaks to both its great potential and the obstacles that remain.
“South Africa is closer to 19%,” Katsoudas explained, “which is a pretty big difference, higher than the U.S., higher than Europe. So, companies are truly leaning in, which is amazing. But then you look at that other stat, which is that 60% of people are still not connected. There’s something there that we absolutely have to get after.”
Cisco itself is leaning in across Africa, supporting new infrastructure and skills programs, while addressing key concerns…