The collaboration between the African Development Bank and the tech titan Intel has been officially established to revolutionize the digital landscape of Africa. This alliance is set to provide AI training to three million Africans and 30,000 government officials
The agreement, which was finalised at the African Development Bank’s annual meetings held in Nairobi, Kenya, is expected to build a substantial base of African individuals skilled in the technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). This initiative aims to transform Africans into active participants in 4IR, not merely passive users. The educational programs will tackle socio-economic issues and enhance productivity in vital sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and education, thus altering the conventional patterns of economic growth.
Intel’s director of government affairs Africa and IGA CTO Liaison, Bienvenu Agbokponto Soglo, commented, “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.”
Furthermore, the partnership is set to aid African nations, regional economic groups, and continental entities in crafting unified policies and regulatory structures for AI, 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, data, and cloud technologies.
Highlighting the significance of digital competencies for the African youth, Ousmane Fall, the African Development Bank’s acting director of industrial and trade development, remarked, “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,” adding, “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.”
Intel, AfDB partner for Africa's digital future
(L-R) Dr Bienvenu Agbokponto Soglo, Intel director of government affairs and IGA chief technology officer Liaison, with Ousmane Fall, acting AfDB director of industrial and trade development. (Image source: African Development Bank Group)
