Africa AI Initiative launched at G20; UAE commits $1B to AI infrastructure
Weekly News Digest...
Good morning, and welcome to this week’s issue of Africa AI News – Weekly News Digest.
This week’s big news is the UAE committing $1 billion to building AI infrastructure across the African continent. The announcement was big on enthusiasm, not so big on working detail, such as what form the initiative will take.
It was huge news nonetheless, as it was announced at the G20 summit in Johannesburg last week, that was mostly notable for the absence of the US (which spent the last fortnight throwing insults at the host nation along with confused mixed signals and then more insults, plus some empty threats. G20 was also a shining light (to an extent) of a new multilateral world order, with the closing statement driving hard on G20’s leaders standing for solidarity, justice and cooperation between nations (official declaration here).
The UAE, which is not a G20 member, was invited by SA president Cyril Ramaphosa to participate as a sign of deepening Gulf/African relationships.
While the $1 billion UAE initiative got a lot of air-time, it was in fact part of a larger cross-Africa AI growth initiative, the AI Initiative for Africa (see below), where the “B20” (a business forum that runs alongside the G20) announced a $100-million training and incubation fund. Again not a lot of detail revealed as to the mechanics of the initiative, and surprisingly little coverage.
On with this week’s issue!
/Roger
Funding
AI Initiative for Africa launched at G20
#Africa #funding — The B20 (“Business 20” that runs alongside the G20 summit) announced a $100m Digital Inclusion Fund as part of the AI Initiative for Africa, a collaboration with the African Union (AU) and UNESCO. This initiative will ensure the training of 15,000 civil servants and 5,000 judicial personnel on the use (and challenges) of AI, and training of 2,000 teachers and students and 30 education policy makers from 15 African countries. Finally, it will create a pan-African incubator to support 1,500 AI researchers. (WeeTracker)
UAE commits $1 billion to African AI infrastructure
#Africa #UAE #funding — The UAE announced a $1 billion commitment to the AI for Development Initiative, part of the AU/UNESCO AI Initiative for Africa, intended to expand artificial intelligence infrastructure and AI-enabled services across Africa. Announced at the G20 summit in Johannesburg last week, it will be led by the Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX), in cooperation with the UAE Foreign Aid Agency. Not clear yet if the investment will be in the form of loans, investment or grants. AfricaAINews did a deep dive here. (AfricaAINews.com)
Education
DRC eyes AI for farms and mines, plans academy with Huawei
#DRC #education — The Democratic Republic of Congo is exploring AI applications in agriculture and mining and is seeking to launch a national AI academy with China’s Huawei to build local skills. Officials hope the academy will train engineers and managers for data-driven farming and mineral-sector optimisation, supporting industrial modernisation. (Ecofin Agency)
Applications
Tanzania’s LimaBot cuts crop losses with AI
#Tanzania #applications #agritech — LimaBot, a Tanzanian agritech solution, uses machine-learning and sensors to detect pests and optimise post-harvest handling, reducing crop losses for smallholder farmers. The platform links local agronomists with predictive analytics and automated alerts, increasing yields and market readiness through timely interventions. (WeAreTech.Africa)
Policy
Nigeria’s AI bill nudges country toward oversight
#Nigeria #policy — Nigeria’s proposed AI bill advances parliamentary debate on regulating algorithmic systems, outlining powers for oversight, data-protection safeguards and penalties for harmful automated decisions. Stakeholders warn of balancing innovation and civil-liberties protections; the bill would position Nigeria among African states formalising AI governance. (TechCabal)
FSA’s Financial Conduct watchdog publishes AI adoption study
#SouthAfrica #policy — The Financial Sector Conduct Authority and the Prudential Authority released a sector-wide study based on a voluntary October–December 2024 survey of about 2 100 respondents. The report finds 220 respondents (10.6%) currently use AI; banks lead with 52% adoption and plan the largest investments, with 45% of AI-using banks targeting >R30m spend. Report here. (Moonstone Information Refinery)
Namibia launches national AI awareness campaign
#Namibia #policy — Namibia will roll out a nationwide AI, digital and media-literacy campaign to curb rising deepfake scams and disinformation, Information and Communication Technology Minister Emma Theofelus announced at Africa Tech Festival. The initiative targets schools, public sessions and private-sector partnerships and accompanies a national AI framework to guide transparency, ethics and data protection. (Ecofin Agency)
Zambia joins HealthAI global regulatory network
#Zambia #policy — Zambia has become the first African country to join the HealthAI Global Regulatory Network, a platform for regulators to share best practice on health AI governance. The move aims to strengthen oversight of AI medical tools, speed safe approvals and build regulatory capacity through collaboration with international peers and technical partners. (HealthAI)
Datacentres
Orange Maroc opens 1.5MW Casablanca data centre
#Morocco #infrastructure — Orange Maroc has inaugurated a 1.5MW data centre in Casablanca, its largest in Africa, featuring over 1,000 on-site solar panels. The facility expands Orange’s regional portfolio alongside existing sites in Casablanca, Rabat and Tangier. (DataCenterDynamics)
Events
AI Community Conference Tunisia announced for December
#Tunisia #events — The AI Community Conference (AICO Tunisia) is scheduled for 18 December 2025, offering panels, workshops and networking for developers, researchers and policy makers. The event focuses on community-driven projects, responsible AI practices and regional collaboration across North Africa. (Community Days)
(Past) Tanzania sets stage for AI leap
#Tanzania #policy — Main takeaways from Tanzanian’s Africa Premier Artificial Intelligence Conference (AIPAC) held last week was a policy drive to scale AI investment includes programmes for higher-education training, innovation hubs and regulatory dialogues with industry. It was held in Arusha. (Daily News Tanzania)
(Past) Transform Africa Summit 2025: AI, DPI and DPG outcomes
#Africa #policy — Smart Africa’s flagship forum, Transform Africa Summit 2025, happened last week in Conakry, Guinea. Outcomes included agreement on promoting African cooperation on AI, digital public infrastructure and digital public goods, with a focus on cross-border interoperability. (Smart Africa)
Competitions
DARAJA+AI for Sudan wins Tech4Resilience challenge
#Sudan #competitions — DARAJA+AI, a Sudan-focused project, won the Tech4Resilience challenge for its work on humanitarian tech that strengthens crisis response and local resilience. Judges highlighted the initiative’s locally led approach, use of data and AI to prioritise aid flows and its potential to scale across fragile contexts. (Resurgence)
Algeria launches national AI contest
#Algeria #competitions — Algeria has launched a national AI contest to stimulate local innovation, attract talent and accelerate AI solutions across sectors. The competition invites developers, students and startups to propose projects that address economic and social priorities, with prizes and support to pilot winning entries. (Alison News)
[ This newsletter was human sourced and AI summarised ]