The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is making a major bet on AI’s presence in Africa.
The G20 leaders’ summit was held Saturday, Nov. 22, in Johannesburg, South Africa. It brought together 20 leaders to discuss various global challenges, according to Reuters. UAE Minister of State Saeed Bin Mubarak Al Hajeri was present, although the UAE is not a member of the group. However, he was invited by the summit’s host and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Minister Hajeri unveiled the “AI for development initiative.” It aims to introduce AI technology to areas such as education, healthcare, and climate adaptation across Africa, notes Reuters. What’s more, the initiative is backed by a $1 billion pledge to help countries build the infrastructure needed for AI.

“We consider AI not just as a future industry but a cornerstone of humanity’s future,” Minister Hajeri said, according to Reuters. “Therefore, my country is actively accelerating innovation to enhance productivity and drive significant advancements in the global economy, with a strong commitment to developing responsible and inclusive AI for the benefit of everyone.”

The UAE has already invested more than $118 billion on the continent over the past four years, beginning in 2020, per Reuters. Its capital, Abu Dhabi, also intends to build a 10-square-mile UAE-U.S. AI Campus, to be developed by Emirati AI company, G42, in partnership with the U.S., Data Center Dynamics reports. It is projected to be the “largest data center deployment” beyond the U.S., according to CNN.

“By extending the world’s leading American tech stack to an important strategic partner in the region, this agreement is a major milestone in achieving President Trump’s vision for U.S. AI dominance,” Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said in a statement, per CNN.

UAE National Security Advisor and Chairman of G42, Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, told Data Center Dynamics:

“Today’s agreement is a testament to the ongoing collaboration between our countries in artificial intelligence. It is an expression of the UAE’s commitment to pioneering innovation and fostering global collaboration in artificial intelligence, strengthening the UAE’s position as a hub for cutting-edge research and sustainable development, delivering transformative benefits for humanity.”