The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday announced a US$1 billion initiative to expand artificial intelligence infrastructure and services across Africa, aiming to support countries’ national development goals.
Saeed bin Mubarak Al Hajeri, the UAE’s Minister of State, launched the “AI for Development” initiative at the G20 leaders’ summit in Johannesburg. He said the plan would help deploy AI tools in sectors including education, healthcare and climate adaptation.
“AI is not just a future industry but a cornerstone of humanity’s future,” Al Hajeri said. The minister added that the UAE is accelerating innovation to boost productivity and ensure the growth of responsible and inclusive AI.
The UAE is among Africa’s largest foreign investors. Bilateral trade reached around US$107 billion in 2024, a 28 percent rise from the previous year, while Emirati investments in Africa totalled more than US$118 billion between 2020 and 2024, according to an official statement.
Abu Dhabi has been pouring money into advanced technology, including plans to build one of the world’s biggest data-centre hubs in partnership with US firms.
Although the UAE is not a member of the G20, it attended the summit at the invitation of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is hosting the gathering in Africa for the first time.
Egyptian Exchange doubles tech spending as fintech becomes ‘strategic necessity’
