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29-09-2026
By Bob Koigi | Channel: artificial-intelligence
| Tags: Africa
Artificial Intelligence
Government
Tech
AfDB launches free AI training for African officials
The African Development Bank Group has partnered with the UNDP AI Hub for Sustainable Development, Google and Apolitical to launch a free training programme designed to help public officials across Africa understand and apply artificial intelligence in government.
Launched alongside the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on 25 September, the programme is delivered through Apolitical’s Government AI Campus. It is aimed at serving government officials and public servants in African Development Bank regional member countries working on areas including public service delivery, digital infrastructure, public-private partnerships and innovation.
AI training targets public-sector skills
Participants can access self-paced courses including AI Fundamentals for Public Servants: Opportunities, Risks and Strategies, AI Leadership in Government: Building Trust, Skills and an Innovative Culture and Smarter Procurement with AI.
The courses were developed by Stanford University Online and SDA Bocconi School of Management, while Google and Apolitical provide the learning platform and content. Enrolment is open and free of charge to eligible public servants.
The programme is being delivered through the AI Hub for Sustainable Development, a G7-endorsed initiative co-led by UNDP and Italy’s Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy. The African Development Bank is a founding member of the Hub’s Executive Steering Group.
AfDB links training to AI productivity research
Ousmane Fall, Director for Industrial and Trade Development at the African Development Bank Group: “AI is changing how we work. It promises major productivity gains if users fully understand its application. Building that understanding in government has been neglected and this partnership helps us put that right.”
The training follows recommendations from the Bank Group report Africa’s AI Productivity Gain: Pathways to Labour Efficiency, Economic Growth and Inclusive Transformation. The report projected that inclusive AI deployment could add up to US$1 trillion to Africa’s GDP by 2035 and identified skills and trusted governance among the conditions needed to achieve those gains.
AI Hub focuses on government capacity
Keyzom Ngodup Massally, Director of the AI Hub for Sustainable Development and UNDP Head of Digital & AI Programmes: “As the AI landscape continues to evolve, governments across Africa need timely support to strengthen the institutional and technical foundations required to participate meaningfully in the AI economy.”
The AI Hub aims to strengthen local AI ecosystems through partnerships involving governments, businesses, academia and other stakeholders. Its work includes developing local talent, improving access to computing infrastructure and strengthening data ecosystems.
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