The United Arab Emirates has announced a landmark $1 billion investment to expand artificial intelligence infrastructure and AI-enabled services across Africa, aiming to support countries in meeting long-term national development goals.
The initiative—titled “AI for Development”—was unveiled on Saturday by UAE Minister of State Saeed Bin Mubarak Al Hajeri during the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg. Although the UAE is not a formal member of the Group of 20, it attended the summit at the invitation of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, marking the first G20 gathering to be hosted on African soil.
According to Al Hajeri, the new investment will channel advanced AI tools into priority sectors such as education, healthcare, and climate adaptation, supporting African nations as they integrate technology into key developmental policies.
“We consider AI not just as a future industry but a cornerstone of humanity’s future,” he said. “My country is actively accelerating innovation to enhance productivity and drive significant advancements in the global economy, with a strong commitment to developing responsible and inclusive AI for the benefit of everyone.”
The UAE has steadily expanded its economic footprint across the continent, emerging as one of Africa’s largest foreign investors. In 2024, bilateral trade reached approximately $107 billion, representing a 28% increase from the previous year. Between 2020 and 2024 alone, the UAE invested more than $118 billion in African economies, according to official figures.
Analysts say the new AI initiative further cements the UAE’s strategic shift toward technology-driven development partnerships, particularly in regions with fast-growing populations and digital potential.
Abu Dhabi is simultaneously pursuing its own ambitions to become a global AI hub. The country is investing heavily in cutting-edge data infrastructure, including plans to build one of the world’s largest data-centre hubs using US technology.
This dual strategy—advancing AI capacity at home while exporting AI-driven development models abroad—aligns with the UAE’s broader economic diversification agenda and its efforts to position itself as a leader in next-generation technologies.
The timing of the announcement at the Johannesburg summit underscores Africa’s growing importance in global economic discussions, particularly in areas such as digital transformation and sustainable development.
With the new “AI for Development” initiative, the UAE signals a long-term commitment to supporting Africa’s technological leap, while strengthening bilateral ties that have grown substantially over the past decade.
Melissa Enoch
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