Africa could witness a significant AI revolution. On June 20, 2025, UNDP launched a new AI Hub for Sustainable Development in Rome with the aim of reinforcing sustainable AI infrastructure and accelerating AI innovation in Africa. This collaborative platform is sponsored by Italy’s Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT) and implemented by UNDP.

According to the Center for Global Development, AI could widen the gap between high-and low-income countries due to three reasons: high-income countries are well equipped to benefit from AI, developing countries are less prepared to handle AI’s adverse effect on their labor markets, and AI is imposing pressure on labor-intensive service industries. At the same time, the absence of collective action is slowing down the development of AI in Africa. Thus, this AI Hub project is a significant step towards addressing these challenges and boosting sustainable development in Africa.

Why AI Hub Matters

The AI Hub’s main goal is to provide Africa’s innovators and start-ups with everything they need to build and run AI including, green compute, talent and data. The project aligns well with SDG9, which refers to the importance of promoting infrastructure, industrialization and innovation by strengthening AI infrastructure. It also aligns with SDG4, equitable quality education, by providing training and teaching AI skills for African talent.

Additionally, the hub’s goal fits with SDG17, global partnerships for sustainable development, since it is based on 25 partnerships between Africa’s innovators, the EU, G7, and Italian companies, and 14 African partner countries. Such partnerships could incredibly accelerate AI development across Africa.

Challenges Limiting AI Advancement in Africa

AI innovation is a part of multiple fields in Africa, but it is still encountering challenges, including,

• Limited access to datasets that reflect African contexts
• High cost of computing power required in training AI models
• Retaining skilled talents at home and attracting others
• Complicated safety laws that are hard to navigate

The new AI Hub addresses these challenges to ensure that everyone can benefit from AI.

There is no doubt that this AI Hub will incredibly transform industries and foster sustainable development in Africa, but still, there is more effort necessary.

– Eiman Elsawy

Eiman is based in Kirkland, WA, USA and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr