AfDB and UNDP Launch $10bn AI Initiative for Africa
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), together with private sector partners, have launched the AI 10 Billion Initiative, a major continental effort aimed at accelerating responsible artificial intelligence adoption and inclusive digital growth across Africa.
The initiative was unveiled during the Nairobi AI Forum 2026, held from 9 to 10 February in Kenya, which brought together governments, development partners, and technology leaders to shape Africa’s AI future.
The AI 10 Billion Initiative seeks to mobilise up to $10 billion by 2035, with the ambition of creating up to 40 million jobs across the continent. Investments will focus on strengthening AI foundations and enabling large-scale adoption, including entrepreneurship support, regional data infrastructure, policy development, and skills training.
The programme is guided by the AfDB’s 2025 report Africa’s AI Productivity Gain: Pathways to Labour Efficiency, Economic Growth and Inclusive Transformation, which sets out a phased roadmap for AI readiness anchored on five key enablers: data, computing power, skills, trust, and capital.
These priorities closely align with discussions at the Nairobi AI Forum, where experts stressed the importance of ethical governance, interoperable data ecosystems, and workforce upskilling.
Speaking at the launch, Nicholas Williams, AfDB’s ICT Operations Division Manager, said the Bank was determined to ensure Africa was not left behind in the AI era. He noted that the initiative would expand partnerships, unlock sustained investment, and support AI entrepreneurship and inclusive economic growth across the continent.
Jean-Luc Stalon, UNDP Resident Representative in Kenya, highlighted UNDP’s role in advancing private sector–driven AI partnerships that create jobs and improve livelihoods at community level.
The announcement was made during a high-level panel featuring representatives from the governments of Italy and Kenya, the European Union, UNDP, and the AfDB.
The AI 10 Billion Initiative represents a significant step in the AfDB’s broader commitment to advancing Africa’s AI agenda, with the potential to unlock an estimated $1 trillion increase in Africa’s GDP by 2035.
To drive implementation, the Bank plans to undertake a continent-wide roadshow over the next 10 months to engage governments, private sector actors, and development partners in forging new collaborations.
