In a landmark move to revolutionize the African digital landscape, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and tech giant Intel have entered into a formal partnership to equip 3 million Africans and 30,000 government officials with artificial intelligence (AI) skills.
The collaboration, announced during the AfDB’s Annual Meetings in Nairobi, Kenya, aims to foster a critical mass of Africans skilled in Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies. This initiative is expected to boost growth and productivity across the continent, positioning Africans as active contributors to the 4IR rather than mere consumers.
According to an AfDB statement, the training program will target key sectors such as agriculture, health, and education, addressing socio-economic challenges and enhancing productivity. The initiative is set to disrupt traditional growth cycles and create new opportunities in these vital areas.
Ousmane Fall, the Acting Director of Industrial and Trade Development at the African Development Bank, highlighted the significance of digital skills for Africa’s burgeoning youth population. “With advancements in digital technology, our world is rapidly evolving, and so is our youthful population, projected to reach 830 million by 2050. To develop skills on a large scale and at the necessary speed, we need everyone’s cooperation,” he said. “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.”
Bienvenu Agbokponto Soglo, the Director of Government Affairs Africa and IGA CTO Liaison at Intel, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of making advanced technologies accessible. “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,” he stated.
Beyond training, the partnership aims to support African countries, regional economic communities, and continental organizations in developing harmonized policy and regulatory frameworks. These frameworks will cover emerging technologies such as AI, 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, data, and cloud, ensuring a cohesive and robust digital infrastructure across the continent.
This collaboration between the African Development Bank and Intel marks a significant step towards digital transformation in Africa, promising to equip millions with the skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
