As Africa moves forward in artificial intelligence, the African Development Bank reaffirms its commitment to shaping a digital future that is inclusive, sovereign, and anchored in shared prosperity
ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, June 19, 2025/APO Group/ --
One side event at the African Development Bank Group’s (www.AfDB.org) 2025 Annual Meetings unpacked the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a powerful tool to advance inclusive and sustainable development across the African continent.
From Strategy to Action: African Development Bank and Google Explore Africa’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Future at the 2025 Annual Meetings (1)
Caroline Kende-Robb, Senior Director of Strategy and Operational Policies at the Bank
From Strategy to Action: African Development Bank and Google Explore Africa’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Future at the 2025 Annual Meetings (2)
Held under the theme: “The AI Revolution: How Will AI Support the Delivery of the African Development Bank’s 2024–2033 Ten-Year Strategy and the Transformation of African Economies?”, the 90-minute session convened leading voices from across sectors. The event was co-hosted with Google AI Research.
At the heart of the discussion was the question: What will it take for Africa to become AI-ready? which was the central theme of the high-level panel discussion as part of the event.
In his opening remarks, Solomon Quaynor, Vice-President for Private Sector, Infrastructure & Industrialization of the African Development Bank underscored the critical role of digital transformation in shaping Africa’s future: “AI is not a luxury—it’s a necessity for Africa’s competitiveness, resilience, and long-term prosperity,” he said.
Caroline Kende-Robb, Senior Director of Strategy and Operational Policies at the Bank, framed the conversation within the context of the Bank’s 2024–2033 Ten-Year Strategy (https://apo-opa.co/3ZFWakh).
She stressed that “Investing in youth and data infrastructure is no longer optional—these are the foundations upon which Africa must build its AI future.” Her remarks echoed the strategy’s call to leapfrog development through innovation, anchored in African realities and driven by African talent.
Following her intervention, Abdoulaye Diack, Program Manager at Google AI Research Africa, highlighted the transformative potential of AI to address structural challenges and unlock progress in agriculture, education, climate adaptation, and public health.
Diack emphasized the importance of contextualizing AI for African environments, warning that “without local data and inclusive models, Africa risks becoming a passive consumer rather than an active creator of AI solutions.”
Ibrahim Kalil Konaté, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Digital Transition and Digitalization, advocated for regional coordination and harmonized policy frameworks to enable responsible, cross-border implementation of AI technologies.
Robert Skjodt, Group CEO of Raxio Group, focused on the critical need for robust digital infrastructure—especially local data centers—to support the scale and speed required for Africa’s AI ambitions.
Ousmane Fall, Director of Private Sector Transaction Support at the Bank, called for the development of bankable, scalable digital infrastructure projects that can attract long-term investment.
Moustapha Cissé, CEO of Kera Health Platforms, and a respected pioneer in African AI research, stressed the need for ethical frameworks and AI systems that reflect African social, cultural, and healthcare contexts.
Muthoni Karubiu, Chief Operations Officer at Amini, concluded the panel with a call to enhance data sovereignty, especially in the context of agriculture and climate action, by ensuring access to localized and context-specific environmental data.
Harnessing the power of AI for Africa’s success
A strong consensus emerged across the panel - for Africa to harness AI effectively, it must focus on three foundational pillars:
- Human Capital: Equip the next generation with AI literacy and professional expertise.
- Data Infrastructure: Build the digital backbone for connectivity, storage, and secure data exchange.
- Localized Data: Train AI systems on African realities, including languages, culture, and societal needs.
With Africa holding just 1.3% of global data storage capacity and lagging in digital readiness, speakers agreed that the continent is at a crossroads and must urgently make the choice to invest now, or risk falling further behind.
As Africa moves forward in artificial intelligence, the African Development Bank reaffirms its commitment to shaping a digital future that is inclusive, sovereign, and anchored in shared prosperity.
For more information or to revisit this session, click here (https://apo-opa.co/4eu3i9P)
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
He is wacky looking dude
But he's not a president tho… Hassan sheikh Mohamoud is the president of Somalia and Silaanyo is the president of somaliland, how can you be the president of a state?? Here in the U.S , call that governor. Lol
Because PL will one day break away from hell hole Zoomalia and its capital of Ugandishu.
If Puntland wants to be part of Federal Republic of Somalia, then it has to change the title of its ruler to Governor since one country can not have more than one President, even though Puntland has been trying so hard to measure itself with Somaliland.
You somalilanders has funny user names.
Sorry i meant have funny user names.
@Ku-rujiye Kama-kace,
I would prefer PL to breakaway from the rest of Somalia. Because it will take south Somalia decades to become peaceful, stable, and with a proper government that controls its own police and military force. So in order for PL to progress further then it must breakaway from Somalia or we'll be stuck with them forever and share with them their miseries. And no offence to you isaaqs but i believe PL can easily get recognition should PL declare independence. For one the Hawiye would welcome our decision because they see us as a threat to their hegemony. I know i do not speak for all of my people but i think this is the best option for Majerteen. We should have our own country so that we can be separate from the daily carnage and chaos of Ugandishu.
Ismail,
If thats the case then why are you "puntlanders" against somalilands independence??
I actually don't mind SL independence, I just wish my people would wake up and say goodbye to Ugandishu and its problems.
American boy ,
You sound like very deluted clueless Creature. here is the fact.
– Dr Faroole he is the president of PUNTLAND STATE OF SOMALIA, he represent more then 2.8 million resident in Puntland. Puntland State was responsible creation of Somali Governement sit in Villa moryan.
– To honest Hassan Culusow he is not the president of Federal republic of Somalia because his orders can not even reach beyond Villa Moryan gates let alone whole of Somalia. since he came to office everyone is piling up weapons. so, this person he is history.
– Siilanyo he is not representing all northerners so in his case he is tribal chief not a regional president.
Faroole made a decision for the safety of his people and if that means no elections in 2013 then that is the price of peace and security.
Those who burnt the election ballot papers although appearing staged are responsible for the delays of the elections and as a consequence if the the people do not want multi party system then so be it.
It will take at least until July-2014 for a Puntland voter registration to be completed if the EU and UN are willing supply the funds. Even though a full population count may proof counter productive for puntland's aspiration of getting 50% of muuqdishu's Aid funds if it is revealed that puntland has 1/8 the population of Muuqdishu.
Puntland are on the right track genuine democracy does not come cheap. Puntland will have multi party system sooner or later.
Already EU and UN decided to sponsor next multi party election. if Puntland population is 1/8 how come Puntland live 2.7 million, do your math.
President Farole of Puntland was given a numerous warnings by prominent figures not to hold elections at this time, apparently he gave them deaf ears and now that's the consequences.
Faroole the finger man, I am not worried about puntaland those mofos would eat their own children for a dollar.
@NLander,
Who's eating who?
Isn't the Monster eating Somalia Today led by (Godane) your own kin?
And didn't he send assassins to take out his our fellow clansman terrorist ( Al Afghani) ?
Keep making ridiculous comments because i enjoy rebutting them.
Sorry, i meant his own fellow clansman.
The real reason Faroole is cancelling the election is because the galourious SL Army chased their stupid ballot boxes out of SL territory. Puntland fools are under the impression they have claim to SL territory so holding local government election will result in the reality that they have no power to challenge SL.
Even Somaliland region election is not genuine always stealing ballot boxes like last time disputed election.
President Faroole cancelled election because Puntland election should clean not same as Somaliland region.