This exploratory study synthesizes insights from 14 in-depth expert interviews to examine the state of artificial intelligence (AI) in Africa across six thematic areas: infrastructure development, governance frameworks, cultural preservation, linguistic equity, the startup ecosystem, and youth empowerment. Through systematic qualitative analysis, we identify preliminary challenges, opportunities, and context-specific strategies for responsible AI growth on the continent. As an exploratory investigation, the sample size aligns with established guidelines for thematic saturation in qualitative research. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis framework, with sentiment quantification through AI-assisted coding and manual validation. The initial analysis revealed significant AI readiness gaps, with less than 1% of global AI computing capacity located in Africa. While governance frameworks show promise through initiatives like the African Union’s Continental AI Strategy, implementation remains fragmented. Cultural preservation efforts generated the most positive sentiment (52%), demonstrating successful AI applications in heritage digitization. Conversely, infrastructure and policy discussions revealed predominantly negative sentiment, reflecting systemic barriers. Despite challenges, participants highlighted emerging opportunities through public-private partnerships, grassroots language technology innovations, and youth capacity-building programs. These preliminary findings contribute foundational empirical evidence for developing Africa-centric AI strategies that balance technological advancement with cultural preservation and inclusive development, while establishing a framework for future large-scale research across the continent.