The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have announced a landmark $10 billion artificial intelligence initiative aimed at creating 25 million digital and tech-enabled jobs across the continent.
The African Development Bank Group and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have advanced their collaborative $10 Billion Artificial Intelligence Initiative, moving from initial concept to active execution to drive economic growth and employment across the continent.
Following its debut at the Nairobi AI Forum, the program brings together development finance institutions, governments, and private sector investors to mobilize $1 billion annually over the next decade. The initiative aims to harness artificial intelligence to create 25 million new jobs by 2035.
Research published by the Bank indicates that inclusive artificial intelligence adoption could add up to $1 trillion to Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 2035. Over half of these economic gains are concentrated in five essential sectors that define everyday life for young Africans: agriculture, retail and wholesale trade, manufacturing, finance and healthcare.
With more than 300 million young Africans approaching working age over the next ten years, expanding technological productivity is vital. Highlighting the core mission of the project Solomon Quaynor Vice-President for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization at the African Development Bank, noted that
“Productivity is one of the key measures by which the African Development Bank Group judges the promise of artificial intelligence. Through AI 10 Billion, and in partnership with UNDP, we will align public and private capital behind that objective, so that the benefits of AI translate into competitiveness, employment and inclusive growth across the continent.”
The partnership combines the African Development Bank’s financing power and deep relationships across 54 member countries with the UNDP’s technical expertise and local country presence through the AI Hub for Sustainable Development.
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The initiative operates through a structured, three-stage model in each participating nation, beginning with diagnosing opportunities through targeted national analyses to identify key productivity sectors, followed by project preparation to develop public and private projects until they are fully ready for commercial financing and concluding with investment platforms that convene regional governments, international investors, and economic communities to fund scalable solutions.
Beginning with an initial rollout across 5 countries, the initiative plans to expand to 20 nations by the end of 2027, inviting private investors, philanthropies, and development partners to help build the foundational energy, data and skill networks that power Africa’s digital future.
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