The United Arab Emirates plans to invest $1 billion to expand artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and services across Africa, aiming to boost the continent’s adoption of the cutting-edge technology.
Why it matters
The investment is the latest move by the UAE to expand its global influence and marks a significant push into Africa’s burgeoning digital economy, where AI adoption has lagged compared to other regions.
- Details: The funds will support the development of digital infrastructure, the improvement of government services, and enhanced productivity, according to Saeed bin Mubarak Al Hajeri, UAE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- The investment will provide African nations with “access to AI computing power, technical expertise, and global partnerships,” Al Hajeri said at the G20 summit in Johannesburg.
- The goal is to help developing countries “overcome key developmental challenges by integrating AI technologies” into vital sectors.
Zoom out
The UAE is already a major player in African investment:
- The nation is now the fourth-largest investor in Africa, according to Al Hajeri, with investments spanning renewable energy, logistics, and critical minerals.
- This comes as the Gulf state is also spending billions on AI at home and in the U.S.
The big picture
The AI plan is set to support African projects in key areas:
- Education
- Agriculture
- Health care
- Digital identity
- Climate adaptation
What they’re saying
“Our goal now is to ensure these capabilities benefit partners across the global South, and that no country is left behind in the AI age,” Al Hajeri stated.
Source: Bloomberg
