The AI Hub for Sustainable Development is championing inclusive AI growth in Africa. Recent discussions at the UN General Assembly and the G7 Ministerial Meeting on Industry, Tech and Digital underscored the role of African countries as equal partners in shaping AI’s development, governance and use.

The world stands at a critical inflection point with Artificial Intelligence (AI). While it’s expected to contribute US$15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, only 10 percent of this will be felt in the Global South. This trajectory risks widening existing inequalities and deepening the digital divide.

It is an economic necessity to unlock new engines of growth and creativity. The AI Hub for Sustainable Development, launched with the Italian G7 Presidency and UNDP, represents a step forward. It focuses on strengthening AI foundations in Africa while ensuring development is responsive to current and emerging local priorities.

Addressing critical gaps in AI development

The AI Hub seeks to strengthen four foundational components of local AI ecosystems in Africa: inclusive and representative datasets, local AI talent development, accessible and green computing infrastructure, and enabling environments for responsible AI adoption. In line with the priorities of the Italy–Africa Mattei Plan, the AI Hub will work across six sectors — energy, agriculture, health, water, education and training, and infrastructure. 

Throughout the co-design of the AI Hub in 2024, several African partners, governments, and the private sector engaged in shaping both its approach and programming. The following programmes are underway: 

• The Startup Accelerator Pilot has connected over 300 African startups with selected innovators. The startups are receiving capacity-building support, with opportunities to showcase their work to technology investors and leaders in San Francisco. 
• The Local Language Partnerships Accelerator Pilot has engaged over 80 global AI language innovators, with more than 30 participating in learning programmes and partnerships to integrate African languages into AI systems.

AI centre stage at the UN General Assembly

During the 79^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September, discourse around the challenges and opportunities of AI was at the forefront. Harnessing this growing interest and momentum, the AI Hub convened a high-level roundtable with technology leaders, government officials and development experts to discuss concrete steps to support and accelerate local AI ecosystems in Africa. Among the most salient takeaways were insights on the need for exploring viable, innovative partnership models and implementation strategies that consider local realities.

This was also the second year of SDG Digital, a flagship event co-organized by UNDP and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to showcase and promote digital innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals. In his keynote address, Italian Vice Minister for Enterprises and Made in Italy, Valentino Valentini, emphasized that, “Our journey in creating this AI Hub has been guided by collaboration, inclusivity, and a shared vision for the future of AI.” 

He further highlighted that the work of the AI Hub goes beyond technology transfer: “It's about co-creating solutions together, learning from each other and growing together. We believe that Africa must be a true partner in shaping the future of AI.”