AfDB and UNDP launch ‘AI 10 Billion Initiative’ targeting $10bn mobilisation and 40 million jobs by 2035

AfDB and UNDP launch ‘AI 10 Billion Initiative’ targeting $10bn mobilisation and 40 million jobs by 2035
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The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), alongside private partners, have launched the AI 10 Billion Initiative, a continental programme intended to accelerate responsible artificial intelligence adoption and inclusive digital economic growth across Africa.

The initiative was announced during the Nairobi AI Forum 2026, held in Kenya on 9 and 10 February 2026, which brought together governments, private sector leaders, development partners and technology innovators to discuss pathways for AI adoption.

AfDB said the partnership aims to mobilise up to US$10 billion by 2035. The resources are intended to support investments that could unlock up to 40 million jobs across Africa by 2035, through work spanning AI foundations and adoption, including entrepreneurship, regional data infrastructure, policy frameworks and skills development.

The programme is guided by the Bank Group’s June 2025 report, Africa’s AI Productivity Gain: Pathways to Labour Efficiency, Economic Growth and Inclusive Transformation. AfDB said the report outlines a three-phase roadmap towards AI readiness built around five linked enablers: data, compute, skills, trust and capital.

AfDB said the initiative aligns with discussions at the Nairobi AI Forum, where contributors stressed the importance of interoperable data ecosystems, ethical AI governance, investment mobilisation and workforce upskilling. The Bank said investments will be channelled to support proof-of-concept projects through equity as well as debt financing aimed at resilience.

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The launch was announced during a high-level panel including representatives of the governments of Italy and Kenya, the European Union, UNDP and the Bank Group.

Nicholas Williams, AfDB’s ICT Operations Division Manager, said the Bank intends to use its role as a multilateral development institution to expand partnerships and investment so that Africa is not left behind as AI adoption grows worldwide.

“As a leading multilateral development institution, the Bank is leveraging its comparative advantage to ensure Africa is not left behind 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,” Williams said.

Jean-Luc Stalon, UNDP Resident Representative in Kenya, said UNDP is focused on advancing private sector-driven AI partnerships designed to create jobs and improve livelihoods.

AfDB said the AI 10 Billion Initiative forms part of its broader work on Africa’s AI agenda, including job creation for young people and women, and efforts aimed at increasing the continent’s GDP. To advance the programme, the Bank said it will conduct a roadshow over the next 10 months to engage governments, private sector players and development partners.

For Zimbabwe and provinces such as Mashonaland Central, regional efforts to expand digital infrastructure, skills development and AI entrepreneurship may be relevant to local discussions on youth employment, innovation hubs, public service digitalisation and connectivity for schools and clinics. However, country-specific funding allocations and timelines were not detailed in the announcement.

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