With Agenda 2063 entering its second phase, the African Development Bank is placing AI at the centre of Africa’s policy evolution, launching a major capacity-building initiative to help Member States unlock data-driven governance.
This bold move is set to redefine how Africa tackles its biggest challenges.
The Vision: AI as a Catalyst for Agenda 2063
Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want is a 50-year plan to transform Africa into a global powerhouse through sustainable growth, good governance, and digital inclusion.
The AfDB’s latest initiative, part of the 5th Annual Training Workshop in Lusaka, equips policymakers and technocrats with AI tools to supercharge the Second Ten-Year Plan (2024–2033).
By focusing on monitoring, evaluation, and reporting, this programme is turning data into actionable progress.
Inside the Lusaka Training: Hands-On AI Innovation
Held in Lusaka, Zambia, the five-day workshop, co-organised by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), brought together representatives from African Union Member States. Here’s what went down:
- AI Tools in Action: Participants dived into platforms like Ailyse, ChatGPT, Google AI Studio, Google Gemini, and Perplexity, learning to streamline data analysis and policy development.
- Capacity Building: The training strengthened human and institutional capacity to track Agenda 2063’s progress effectively.
- Collaboration Hub: Countries exchanged innovative strategies, sparking a continent-wide dialogue on results-based planning.
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Why AI is a Game-Changer for Africa
With Africa’s digital economy expected to hit $180 billion by 2025 (Google/IFC e-Conomy Africa 2020), AI is a critical driver of progress.
This initiative delivers:
- Smarter Policymaking: AI enhances data-driven decisions, ensuring policies align with Agenda 2063’s goals.
- Resource Efficiency: Automated tools cut down on time and costs, freeing up resources for high-impact projects.
- Real-World Impact: From optimising agriculture to expanding healthcare access, AI addresses Africa’s unique needs.
Powering Progress Through Partnerships
The AfDB’s Joint Secretariat Support Office (JSSO) provided technical and financial support, partnering with the AUC and ACBF to make this workshop a reality. This collaboration highlights:
- Innovation at Scale: Positioning AI as a tool for sustainable development.
- Strengthened Accountability: Enhancing results-based planning within the African Union framework.
- Knowledge Sharing: Creating a platform for countries to exchange best practices.
The peer-learning environment fostered during the workshop is sparking new ideas for national development strategies.
The Bigger Impact: Shaping Africa’s Future
Africa’s youthful, tech-savvy population is ready to lead the global AI race. This initiative:
- Empowers the Next Generation: Equipping young leaders with AI skills for a digital economy.
- Drives Inclusion: AI solutions can reach underserved communities, from rural farmers to urban entrepreneurs.
- Boosts Growth: Smarter data use fuels Africa’s $3.1 trillion GDP (2024 IMF estimate).
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Looking Ahead: Africa’s AI-Powered Future
The Lusaka workshop is a launchpad for bigger things. Aligned with the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy (2020–2030), which targets 70% digitisation of public services by 2030, the AfDB’s AI push could make Africa a global AI hub.
Expect more training programmes, cross-country collaborations, and AI-driven solutions in the years ahead.
Is this the moment Africa leaps into the AI era? The AfDB is betting big on it.
Ronnie Paul is a seasoned writer and analyst with a prolific portfolio of over 1,000 published articles, specialising in fintech, cryptocurrency, climate change, and digital finance at Africa Digest News.
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