AfDB and Intel Partner to Transform Africa's Digital Ecosystem with AI Training

The agreement, sealed at the recent African Development Bank’s Annual Meetings in Nairobi, Kenya, seeks to create a critical mass of Africans proficient in 4IR skills.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) and technology giant Intel have formalized a partnership aimed at transforming the African digital ecosystem. This collaboration will equip 3 million Africans and 30,000 government officials with AI skills, addressing the need for Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) competencies.

The agreement, sealed at the recent African Development Bank's Annual Meetings in Nairobi, Kenya, seeks to create a critical mass of Africans proficient in 4IR skills. This initiative aims to accelerate growth and productivity, enabling Africans to become contributors to the 4IR rather than mere consumers. The training will tackle socio-economic challenges and enhance productivity in key sectors such as agriculture, health, and education.

Bienvenu Agbokponto Soglo, Director of Government Affairs Africa and IGA CTO Liaison at Intel, highlighted the company's commitment to 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."

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

Ousmane Fall, African Development Bank's Acting Director of Industrial and Trade Development, emphasized the importance 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."

This strategic partnership between AfDB and Intel represents a significant step towards bridging the digital divide and fostering inclusive growth across the continent.