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In a defining moment for Africa’s digital future, the African Development Bank Group, in partnership with the UNDP AI Hub for Sustainable Development, Google, and Apolitical, has unveiled a landmark free training programme designed to equip public officials across the continent with the knowledge and capabilities to harness artificial intelligence in service of governance and development.
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The initiative, launched on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, signals a decisive commitment to ensuring that Africa does not merely consume the AI revolution—but actively shapes it, embedding its values, priorities, and people at the centre of a technological transformation that will define the next era of public service
‘Building Trust, Skills and an Innovative Culture and Smarter Procurement with AI Trainings’
Under Apolitical’s Government AI Campus initiative, participants will gain access to 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. Trainings been developed by Stanford University Online and SDA Bocconi School of Management. Google and Apolitical are providing the learning platform and content
The AI Hub for Sustainable Development is a G7-endorsed initiative co-led by UNDP and Italy’s Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, and which aligns with the Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa. The African Development Bank Group is a founding member of the AI Hub’s Executive Steering Group.
AI promises major productivity gains
Ousmane Fall, the Bank Group’s Director for Industrial and Trade Development said,
“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 is the first step in putting into practice the recommendations from a Bank Group report, Africa’s AI Productivity Gain: Pathways to Labour Efficiency, Economic Growth and Inclusive Transformation, which projected that inclusive AI deployment could add up to $1 trillion to Africa’s gross domestic product by 2035, and identified skills and trusted governance among the five enablers needed to realise those gains.
“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,” said Keyzom Ngodup Massally, Director of the AI Hub for Sustainable Development and UNDP Head of Digital & AI Programmes.
Learning on the platform is self-paced. Enrolment is open and free of charge to serving government officials and public servants in the Bank’s regional member countries who are working on AI in public service delivery, digital infrastructure,
