The UAE has launched a $1 billion initiative to finance and support artificial intelligence (AI) projects across Africa, marking a major step in deepening technological cooperation and advancing sustainable development on the continent.

Announced by His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, at the G20 Summit, the AI for Development program aims to integrate advanced technologies into key sectors, including education, agriculture, and infrastructure.

According to the Abu Dhabi Media Office, the initiative reflects the UAE’s commitment to promoting inclusive growth through global partnerships and innovative financing mechanisms that empower emerging economies.

The program will be implemented by the Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX), a part of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, in collaboration with the UAE Foreign Aid Agency. It is designed to provide financing, capacity-building, and technical expertise to help African nations embed AI solutions within both the public and private sectors.

Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and Chairman of ADEX’s Executive Committee, stated that the initiative highlights the UAE’s confidence in AI as a catalyst for equitable and sustainable development.

“By combining technology, financing, and partnerships, we aim to support developing countries in overcoming key challenges and building long-term economic resilience,” he said. “Integrating AI technologies into education, agriculture, and infrastructure opens new horizons for inclusive progress.”

The initiative will also enable UAE enterprises to participate in high-impact projects across Africa, strengthening economic and technological ties between the Emirates and the continent.

Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri, Chairman of the UAE Foreign Aid Agency, highlighted that the program reinforces the UAE’s enduring commitment to international cooperation. His Excellency noted that the UAE remains committed to advancing global development through impactful initiatives, emphasizing that the AI for Development program builds on the country’s ongoing efforts to harness technology and innovation to support progress in African nations.

The initiative forms part of the UAE’s wider strategy to position itself as a global hub for artificial intelligence and knowledge-driven growth, leveraging technology to drive sustainable and inclusive development worldwide.