Johannesburg – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched its USD 1 billion Artificial Intelligence development initiative to expand AI infrastructure and AI-enabled services across Africa.
“At this year’s G20 Summit, we are proud to launch the AI for development initiative – a USD 1 billion initiative to expand AI infrastructure and AI-enabled services across Africa,” said Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, during his speech.
The UAE said this initiative was designed to put artificial intelligence at the service of development by developing digital infrastructure, enhancing government services, and improving productivity.
It will provide access to AI computing power, technical expertise, and global partnerships, while supporting African countries in delivering real, implementable projects in education, agriculture, healthcare, digital identity, and climate adaptation.
It aims to support developing countries to overcome key developmental challenges by integrating AI technologies into these sectors.
This is AI deployed at scale to meet national development priorities – not experimental work, but practical delivery.
The UAE has been actively engaged in the G20 process throughout the year, in both the Sherpa and Finance Tracks.
“Today, we work with African countries across a wide range of sectors – including sustainable energy, technology, food security, infrastructure, education, digital transformation, and healthcare,” said the Crown Prince.
The CEPA agreements with African countries are opening new pathways in digital trade, manufacturing, and investment.
Since its launch in September 2021, the UAE has concluded 31 CEPAs with countries and international blocs of strategic importance.
These agreements cover approximately 2.5 billion people, or a quarter of the world’s population.
“Central to this partnership is artificial intelligence,” said HE Saeed Bin Mubarak Al Hajeri, UAE Minister of State at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement.
“We consider AI not just as a future industry but a cornerstone of humanity’s future.”
The UAE said its continued and ongoing participation as a G20 Guest Country reflects its clear commitment to multilateral cooperation.
“The UAE is a believer in the importance of collectively working towards practical solutions to shared global challenges,” the UAE Minister of State said.
“Our nation’s foreign policy places a strong emphasis on effective participation in prominent international fora, such as the G20.
“We are especially grateful to South Africa for inviting the UAE to participate in this historic Summit.”
The first G20 summit in Africa placed significant emphasis on :
- Strengthening disaster resilience and response;
- Ensuring debt sustainability for low-income countries;
- Mobilising finance for a just energy transition;
The UAE-Africa partnership has evolved beyond friendship and cooperation into a model grounded in mutual trust, respect, and a shared commitment to a more prosperous future for our peoples.
The UAE is now the fourth-largest investor in Africa, with bilateral trade in 2024 having reached approximately USD 107 billion, marking a 28% increase from the year before.
Additionally, UAE investments in Africa amounted to approximately USD 118.6 billion between 2020 and 2024.
“These are not just numbers, but large-scale investments that deliver real impact: creating jobs, expanding opportunity, building infrastructure that reduces the cost of doing business, providing clean power to homes, businesses, and schools, and transferring skills to support long-term growth,” the statement said.
“From COP28 in the UAE to this G20 Summit in South Africa, our message has been consistent: technology must work for everyone, and development must be inclusive, and sustainable.”
