The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have launched the AI 10 Billion Initiative, a partnership aimed at mobilising up to $10 billion by 2035 to accelerate responsible artificial intelligence adoption and inclusive digital economic growth across Africa.
The initiative was announced during the Nairobi AI Forum 2026, held on 9-10 February in Kenya. The forum convened governments, private sector leaders, development partners, and technology innovators to discuss pathways for impactful AI adoption.
The AI 10 Billion Initiative is co-designed by the AfDB, UNDP, and private partners. Its resources will target investments to build foundational AI ecosystems, with the goal of unlocking up to 40 million new jobs by 2035. Focus areas include entrepreneurship, regional data infrastructure, policy frameworks, and skills development. The approach aligns with the forum’s core themes of trust, local value creation, capacity building, and sustainable development impact.
The initiative is guided by the AfDB’s June 2025 report, Africa’s AI Productivity Gain: Pathways to Labour Efficiency, Economic Growth and Inclusive Transformation. The report outlines a three-phase roadmap centred on five interlinked enablers: data, compute, skills, trust, and capital. This framework echoes forum discussions that stressed interoperable data ecosystems, ethical AI governance, investment mobilisation, and workforce upskilling. Investments will support proof-of-concept projects through equity and debt financing, positioning Africa as a hub for AI innovation and inclusive opportunity.
Nicholas Williams, AfDB’s ICT Operations Division Manager, stated the bank is leveraging its multilateral role to ensure Africa participates fully in the AI era. “The AI 10 Billion Initiative paves the way for expanded partnerships and sustained investment that will accelerate AI entrepreneurship, strengthen data and infrastructure ecosystems, and support inclusive growth across the continent,” he said.
Jean-Luc Stalon, UNDP Resident Representative in Kenya, highlighted UNDP’s role in fostering private-sector-driven AI partnerships to create jobs and improve livelihoods.
The initiative represents the AfDB’s next step in advancing Africa’s AI agenda, with goals that include promoting innovation, creating jobs for youth and women, and contributing to an estimated $1 trillion increase in Africa’s GDP by 2035. To build momentum, the AfDB will conduct a 10-month roadshow to engage governments, private sector players, and development partners in forging new partnerships for the initiative.
