Wayne Lumbasi
At the G20 Leaders Summit in Johannesburg, the United Arab Emirates announced a $1 billion AI for Development initiative aimed at bringing artificial intelligence infrastructure and services to African nations. UAE Minister of State Saeed Bin Mubarak Al Hajeri said the program will support education, healthcare, climate adaptation, and government services while aligning with the development goals of participating countries.
The initiative goes beyond pilot projects. By investing in computing power and technical expertise, the UAE aims to help African nations build lasting AI capabilities. Governments will have access to AI tools to improve public service delivery, optimize infrastructure, and address challenges where traditional approaches have struggled.
The program will be led by the Abu Dhabi Exports Office, part of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, in partnership with the UAE Foreign Aid Agency. This reflects the UAE’s strategy of combining technology with economic cooperation and global development.
For the UAE, the initiative is both strategic and humanitarian. Officials describe AI as a cornerstone of humanity’s future and are committed to ensuring its benefits reach across the Global South. The funding will support high impact projects in education, agriculture, climate resilience, and digital identity systems with practical results for communities and governments.
Africa stands to gain in multiple ways. AI infrastructure could accelerate digital transformation, improving public services, education, and healthcare. AI tools could personalize learning, enhance healthcare delivery through predictive analytics, and guide climate adaptation with data driven insights.
The UAE is already a major investor in Africa, with bilateral trade reaching $107 billion in 2024 and total investments exceeding $118 billion over the past few years. This positions the UAE as a key technology and development partner for the continent.
While the opportunities are vast, careful management will be essential. African nations must retain ownership of infrastructure, govern data responsibly, and ensure projects are sustainable beyond initial funding.
By investing in infrastructure and capacity in Africa, the UAE is helping build ecosystems that support innovation and growth. The AI for Development initiative could reshape how technology and development intersect across Africa and the Global South, opening new paths for progress and opportunity.
The UAE’s $1 billion investment to advance AI in Africa is both a developmental and strategic initiative designed to deliver wide-ranging benefits. By funding AI infrastructure, capacity building, and research collaborations, the UAE creates opportunities for its companies to enter rapidly growing African markets while fostering innovation and technological exchange. The initiative also strengthens the UAE’s global influence and soft power by positioning it as a trusted partner in Africa’s digital transformation.
Beyond economic gains, this move allows the UAE to help shape AI policies and standards on the continent, ensuring ethical and responsible adoption of emerging technologies aligned in its interests. Moreover, the investment can generate long-term returns by supporting AI applications in key sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and financial services, ultimately contributing to sustainable development while reinforcing the UAE’s reputation as a leading hub for technology and innovation.
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