Endorsed by the G7 leaders, the AI Hub for Sustainable Development is re-imagining global AI partnerships and powering local ecosystems with Africa.
Growing together for greater impact
Artificial Intelligence is poised to be the most transformative technology of our era, and its benefits must be accessible to all. For Africa, where 60% of Africans are under 25, AI presents a unique opportunity to leapfrog traditional development growth, delivering innovative and impactful solutions in healthcare, education, agriculture, finance, and governance.
The AI Hub is designed as a collaborative space where novel ideas emerge and thrive, with transformative solutions by Africa’s innovators and start-ups. Connecting everyone into an ecosystem where they can grow together and advance prosperity for all is at the AI Hub’s core. The AI Hub’s goal is to build AI foundations in the following areas:
DATE GREEN COMPUTE TALENT ENABLING ECOSYSTEM
As Enrico Mattei, the inspiration for the Italy-Africa Mattei Plan, redefined international partnerships in the 1950s, Italy is once again driving an ecosystem of equal partnerships through the AI Hub. The AI Hub is aligned with the African Union’s AI Strategy and is anchored by 14 partner countries in Africa (Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Tanzania and Tunisia), catalyzing transformation across six key sectors–energy, agriculture, health, water, education & training, and infrastructure.
“The AI Hub for Sustainable Development is part of the Mattei Plan, a priority of the Italian Government’s foreign policy. With this instrument we want to contribute to the achievement of development objectives, leveraging the private sector and market-driven projects.”
— Adolfo Urso, Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Government of Italy
Flagship Programmes
- Compute Accelerator Programme – Designed to connect supply with demand readiness through integrated acceleration support, driving the efficient and effective use of compute to enable international growth and scalability.
- AI Infrastructure Builder Programme – A platform where Africa’s AI infrastructure builders are connected to an integrated network of governments, private sector, and financing partners to shape partnerships needed between Africa, the G7, and the EU.
- Africa Green Compute Coalition (AGCC) – A flagship initiative of the AI Hub, working with design partners from the G7, Italy, and Kenya, including Alliance4AI, Axum, Kytabu, and Cineca, to exponentially enable access to scalable, sustainable, and affordable AI compute infrastructure.
- AI Hub Platform – The digital gateway that defines how the world engages with Africa to advance cooperation and co-development.
These flagship initiatives were launched during the official opening of the AI Hub for Sustainable Development, which gathered political and private sector leaders across the G7, EU, Italy, and Africa. Together, they aim to accelerate AI-enabled industrial development across the continent.
Italy and Kenya: Partnering for Sustainable AI Innovation
Through its collaboration with UNDP, MIMIT, and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAECI), the AI Hub works closely with Kenyan institutions, innovators, and startups to:
- Build AI-enabled infrastructure supporting national development priorities;
- Strengthen skills and talent ecosystems for youth and entrepreneurs;
- Support responsible AI adoption in sectors such as agriculture, health, and climate resilience.
Together, Italy and Kenya are shaping a new model of equal, innovation-driven cooperation, where technology empowers people and supports sustainable growth.
Kenyan institutions, startups, researchers, and innovators can engage with the AI Hub through:
- Participating in flagship programmes such as the Compute Accelerator or Infrastructure Builder;
- Contributing to policy dialogues and AI ecosystem development activities;
- Partnering on pilot projects that leverage AI for sustainable development in key sectors.
Kenya’s top finalist of the AI Hub’s AI Art for Industries open call, Stephen Ndiema, shares his vision for the future of industrial growth in Kenya powered by AI.
For more information, contact the AI Hub team at: aihubfordevelopment@undp.org
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