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The United Arab Emirates has announced a landmark $1 billion ‘AI for Development’ initiative dedicated to financing and supporting artificial intelligence projects across Africa, marking one of the region’s most ambitious investments in digital growth and emerging technologies.
Spearheaded by Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX), the export financing arm of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), in coordination with the UAE Foreign Aid Agency, the initiative aims to empower African nations through AI-driven economic modernization, enhanced government services, and improved productivity across key sectors.
The announcement was made by His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, during the G20 Summit, reaffirming the UAE’s commitment to long-term global partnerships, sustainable progress, and inclusive digital prosperity.
Driving Digital Infrastructure and Social Advancement in Africa
Through the ‘AI for Development’ initiative, the UAE will support African countries in accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies across pivotal industries — including education, agriculture, infrastructure, and public sector innovation. The initiative is designed to enable measurable socio-economic impact through smart transformation, helping nations harness the power of AI to overcome developmental challenges and unlock new opportunities for growth. (News Source - PR Newswire)
The initiative aligns with the UAE’s broader vision of strengthening a knowledge-based, innovation-powered economy, while reinforcing its standing as a global center for artificial intelligence, innovation financing, and humanitarian development.
Leadership Commentary
His Excellency Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director-General of ADFD and Chairman of the Exports Executive Committee of ADEX, emphasized the UAE’s belief in AI as a catalyst for equitable global progress.
“Artificial intelligence is a real force for advancing sustainable and inclusive development. With this initiative, we are combining advanced technology, innovative financing solutions, and partnership-driven cooperation to support developing countries in building economic resilience and securing long-term growth,” he stated.
He added that incorporating AI capabilities into essential sectors presents new horizons for collaboration between UAE enterprises and African markets, enabling pioneering development projects while supporting global sustainable development goals.
Dr. Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri, Chairman of the UAE Foreign Aid Agency, highlighted that the initiative reflects the humanitarian legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the continued dedication of the UAE’s leadership — including His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan — to improving communities and enhancing quality of life globally.
“This programme reinforces our mission of uplifting communities through high-impact development projects and modern technological interventions,” Dr. Al Ameri said. “Artificial intelligence will play a decisive role in enhancing capacities across education, healthcare, and infrastructure in African nations.”
A Long-Standing Commitment to Africa
The ‘AI for Development’ initiative forms the latest chapter in the UAE’s extensive foreign assistance framework for the African continent. Since 1971, the UAE has delivered more than AED 152 billion in support to African countries. The new initiative continues this legacy — this time with a focus on digitization, smart systems, and future-driven development models.
A New Era of AI-Enabled Global Partnerships
The UAE continues to rise as a destination for innovation, research, and next-generation technology. The launch of the ‘AI for Development’ initiative underscores the country’s ability to mobilize knowledge, technology, and financing to uplift developing economies and expand access to equitable digital growth.
The programme is expected to boost regional collaboration, support AI-powered innovation ecosystems, and stimulate opportunities for UAE organizations specializing in AI technologies, AI apps, and AI app development to lead infrastructure and smart transformation projects across Africa.
About the Initiative
The AI for Development initiative is a strategic development programme led by ADEX and the UAE Foreign Aid Agency, focusing exclusively on financing and implementing artificial intelligence projects across Africa to support long-term social advancement, economic resilience, and digital innovation.
