The initiative is a partnership between the AfDB, UNDP and private sector partners. It aims to mobilise $1 billion annually over the next decade and contribute to the creation of 25 million jobs by 2035.

The UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa delegation was led by Keyzom Ngodup Massally, Director of the AI Hub for Sustainable Development, alongside representatives of the UNDP Platform for Investment and Technical Assistance.

The visit follows the launch of the initiative at the Nairobi AI Forum in February 2026 and the ongoing implementation of the Africa Accelerator for Digital Public Infrastructure initiative.

The AfDB’s 2025 report, Africa’s AI Productivity Gain, projects that inclusive AI adoption could add up to $1 trillion to Africa’s gross domestic product by 2035. About 58% of the potential gains are expected to come from agriculture, wholesale and retail, manufacturing, finance and health.

More than 300 million young Africans are expected to reach working age within the next decade, placing greater emphasis on productivity, skills development and employment creation.

“Productivity is one of the key measures by which the AfDB judges the promise of artificial intelligence. Through AI 10 Billion, and in partnership with UNDP, we will align public and private capital behind that objective, so that the benefits of AI translate into competitiveness, employment and inclusive growth across the continent,” AfDB Vice-President for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialisation Solomon Quaynor said.

The initiative will work in participating countries by assessing productivity opportunities, identifying and preparing public and private projects for financing, and establishing investment platforms bringing together governments, investors and regional economic communities.

The AfDB and UNDP said that they will begin implementation in five countries before expanding the initiative to 20 countries by the end of 2027.

–AfDB/ChannelAfrica–