Fabrice Zapfack
Artefact

Fabrice Zapfack heads Artefact’s new office in Abidjan, inaugurated in August 2025. Specialising in data and artificial intelligence consulting, the company aims to combine global technological expertise with a deep understanding of African realities through its third African hub, following Morocco and South Africa, in order to deliver “sustainable, tailor-made solutions.” Before joining Artefact, Zapfack co-founded data354, serving as its President and Chief Technology Officer. The firm was the first consultancy in Francophone Africa dedicated entirely to data science and artificial intelligence. Its mission is to help African and international organisations transform data into a driver of performance and better decision-making. Data354 also develops AI applications with direct public value. The company analyses satellite imagery to improve environmental forecasting, while its AQ 54 Project monitors air quality in Abidjan. Registered residents receive email or SMS alerts whenever concentrations of fine particulate matter exceed pollution thresholds. The startup is also advancing AI for African languages, with a particular focus on Bambara. Zapfack consistently reminds audiences that artificial intelligence is neither inherently good nor bad—it is a tool whose impact depends on the intentions of those who build and deploy it. In his view, developers have a responsibility to ensure the safety of both AI systems and their users, while governments must establish robust legal frameworks and promote the ethical use of these technologies.