The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have launched a $10 billion artificial intelligence initiative to create up to 40 million jobs across Africa by 2035, positioning it as one of the continent’s most ambitious digital transformation efforts.
The programme, known as the AI 10 Billion Initiative, was unveiled during the Nairobi AI Forum 2026 in Kenya, bringing together African governments, multilateral institutions, private investors, technology firms and development partners to align on scaling AI adoption across the continent.
AfDB and UNDP said the initiative is designed to mobilise public and private capital to accelerate the deployment of responsible AI while addressing structural gaps that have historically limited Africa’s participation in the global digital economy.
Key stakeholders identified in the initiative include African national governments, expected to lead policy alignment and regulatory reforms; global and regional technology companies, providing AI tools and infrastructure; venture capital and institutional investors, financing innovation; academic and research institutions, driving talent development; and development finance institutions, supporting long-term capital flows.
The programme will prioritise investments in critical enablers such as data infrastructure, cloud and computing capacity, digital public infrastructure, and cross-border data frameworks to improve interoperability across African markets. It will also focus on building a skilled workforce through large-scale training programmes targeting youth, civil servants and entrepreneurs.
AfDB officials said the initiative reflects a strategic shift from fragmented pilot projects to coordinated, continent-wide AI deployment capable of delivering measurable economic outcomes.
AfDB ICT Operations Division Manager Nicholas Williams noted that strengthening Africa’s AI ecosystem will require coordinated action by governments and industry, particularly to expand access to high-quality datasets and affordable computing power.
UNDP, for its part, emphasised the importance of inclusive and ethical AI adoption, noting that the initiative will integrate governance frameworks that prioritise transparency, accountability and human rights protections.
Beyond employment generation, the partners estimate that AI could contribute up to $1 trillion to Africa’s gross domestic product by 2035 if adoption is scaled effectively. Sectors expected to see the most immediate impact include agriculture, healthcare, financial services, education and public administration.
Development partners involved in the broader framework include multilateral agencies, regional economic blocs, and international donors working alongside African startups and innovation hubs to localise AI solutions.
AfDB said the next phase of the initiative will focus on securing commitments from governments and private-sector players, as well as on launching pilot programmes in key markets to demonstrate scalable use cases.
The initiative underscores growing recognition among policymakers and investors that artificial intelligence could become a central driver of Africa’s economic growth, competitiveness and job creation over the next decade.
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