AfDB, Intel to train millions in AI skills

The African Development Bank (AfDB) and tech firm Intel have partnered to equip 3 million Africans and 30,000 government officials with advanced artificial intelligence (AI) skills.

In a statement, the AfDB said the agreement was signed during the recent African Development Bank Annual Meetings in Nairobi, Kenya and aims to revolutionize the African digital ecosystem.

The AfDB added that the partnership will help create a critical mass of Africans proficient in Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) skills to accelerate growth and productivity and position Africans as contributors, not just consumers of 4IR.

Moreover, the AfDB predicts that training will address socio-economic challenges and boost productivity in key growth sectors such as agriculture, health, and education, thereby disrupting traditional growth cycles.

The collaboration will also support African countries, regional economic communities, and continental organizations in developing harmonized policy and regulatory frameworks in AI, 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, data and cloud.

"Intel looks forward to furthering its collaboration with African governments to make advanced technologies such as AI accessible to all, breaking down barriers related to geography, gender, and ethnicity, and enabling widespread participation in the digital economy," said Intel Director of Government Affairs for Africa and IGA CTO Liaison Bienvenu Agbokponto Soglo.

AfDB Acting Director of Industrial and Trade Development Ousmane Fall underscored the importance of digital skills for Africa's youth.

"The Bank is thrilled to collaborate with Intel to work towards this shared commitment. Together, we are shaping the digital future of Africa and empowering our youth," Fall continued.

African digital transformation deals

The AfDB and Intel partnership comes at a time when many African countries and companies are signing deals with international organizations to further their digital transformation ambitions.

Just last month, the UK's development finance institution, British International Investment (BII), signed financing agreements to support both Senegal and Tanzania's telecommunication infrastructure plans.

The AfDB and Intel partnership aims to revolutionize the African digital ecosystem. (Source: Image by freepik)

In January 2024, the government of Gabon and the World Bank signed a US$68.5 million loan for the Digital Gabon Project.

In August 2023, Safaricom Ethiopia closed a $257 million deal with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) – members of the World Bank Group.

Follow Connecting Africa on our new X account @connect__africa to get the latest telecoms and tech news across Africa.

In June 2023, the Ugandan government partnered with the World Bank to launch the Universal Digital Acceleration Program. Under the five-year program, refugees will acquire essential digital skills.

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*Top image is of Intel Director of Government Affairs for Africa and IGA CTO Liaison Bienvenu Agbokponto Soglo and AfDB Acting Director of Industrial and Trade Development Ousmane Fall. (Source: AfDB).

— Matshepo Sehloho, Associate Editor, Connecting Africa