The United Arab Emirates has announced a major new billion-dollar initiative aimed at accelerating Africa's digital transformation. The 'AI for Development' program, valued at $1 billion, was unveiled to support and finance artificial intelligence projects across African nations.
A Strategic Announcement at the G20 Summit
The landmark initiative was announced during a speech by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at the G20 summit. In his address, the Crown Prince reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to fostering sustainable growth through innovative international partnerships and financing solutions for emerging economies.
The program's core objectives are to bolster economic and social development by:
- Developing robust digital infrastructure.
- Enhancing the efficiency of government services.
- Improving overall productivity across key sectors.
Implementation and Strategic Partnerships
The initiative will be managed by the Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX), which operates under the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development. ADEX will execute the program in close cooperation with the UAE Foreign Aid Agency. This partnership is designed to enable developing nations to harness advanced technologies, using AI as a catalyst for comprehensive development.
Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and Chairman of the ADEX Exports Executive Committee, emphasized the initiative's vision. "ADEX’s leadership of the AI for Development initiative reflects the UAE’s belief that artificial intelligence is a real force for advancing equitable growth and sustainable development," he stated.
Al Suwaidi further explained that by merging technology, financing, and partnerships, the UAE aims to help countries overcome developmental hurdles and build long-term economic resilience. He specifically highlighted the transformative potential of integrating AI into education, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Building on a Legacy of Development Aid
This new effort is deeply rooted in the UAE's longstanding humanitarian and developmental philosophy, tracing back to the legacy of the nation's founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It also reflects the current vision of President His Highness, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Dr. Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri, Chairman of the UAE Foreign Aid Agency, reaffirmed the nation's leading role in global development. He noted that many African nations require such transformative projects to address critical needs in education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
The AI for Development initiative is a dedicated component of the UAE's broader foreign assistance to Africa. Since 1971, the UAE has provided over AED 152 billion in aid to African countries. This new program strengthens the contribution of UAE donor entities, coordinated through the UAE Foreign Aid Agency and ADEX, to implement high-impact, AI-driven projects.
Ultimately, this billion-dollar commitment underscores the UAE's ambition to be a global hub for cutting-edge technology while providing creative solutions to drive inclusive and sustainable growth in Africa and beyond.
