Marvellous Nyang
November 22, 2025
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has unveiled a landmark $1 billion initiative aimed at accelerating the adoption and expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) across Africa.
The announcement, made by UAE Minister of State Saeed Bin Mubarak Al Hajeri at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, signals the Gulf nation’s commitment to fostering technological innovation on the continent.
The ambitious programme, dubbed “AI for Development”, will target key sectors including education, healthcare, climate adaptation, and digital identity systems.
By providing computing power, technical expertise, and international partnerships, the initiative seeks to empower African nations to leverage AI responsibly and inclusively, ensuring that technology serves as a catalyst for sustainable growth.
The UAE views AI as “not just a future industry but a cornerstone of humanity’s future,” reflecting its broader ambition to position itself at the forefront of the global digital economy.
ALSO READ: Why Africa’s youth could redefine the global AI future
Domestically, the UAE is rapidly scaling up its AI capacity, ranking second globally in AI readiness, and planning one of the world’s largest data-centre hubs in Abu Dhabi with advanced U.S. technology.
Africa has increasingly attracted UAE investment, with bilateral trade in 2024 reaching approximately $107 billion and total UAE investments in Africa from 2020 to 2024 exceeding $118 billion.
In line with this strategy, the UAE previously partnered with Ghana in a $1 billion deal to establish the Ghana-UAE Innovations & Technology Hub, which is set to host more than 11,000 global tech companies and support Ghana’s “One Million Coders” programme.
Through these initiatives, the UAE is seeking to create a sustainable ecosystem for AI, digital skills, and technological innovation across Africa, offering both economic opportunity and social development.
Experts believe that such strategic interventions could dramatically accelerate Africa’s integration into the global digital economy, bridging technological gaps while fostering local talent and innovation.
