AI./PHOTO ; Pexel
Children in sub-Saharan Africa are set to benefit from a landmark partnership aimed at harnessing artificial intelligence and education technology to improve learning outcomes across the region.
Gates Foundation and ADQ have announced a four-year partnership to accelerate the responsible and high-impact adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and education technology (EdTech) in education systems across sub-Saharan Africa.
The announcement was made on the sidelines of Abu Dhabi Finance Week during a visit by Bill Gates, Chair of the Gates Foundation, to the United Arab Emirates.
As education systems evolve, digital learning platforms, data technologies, and AI-enabled solutions are increasingly recognised as essential components of national infrastructure.
Similar to transport, energy, and logistics networks that support economic activity, these technologies play a key role in building human capital and strengthening long-term competitiveness.
Through this partnership, ADQ is extending its infrastructure investment approach to include capabilities that support future-ready education systems.
By 2050, Africa is projected to be home to one in every three young people globally.
“As part of the UAE’s commitment to advancing AI and technology-enabled solutions, this partnership underscores ADQ’s dedication to delivering meaningful impact for current and future generations across global markets,” said His Excellency Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of ADQ.
“While infrastructure has traditionally focused on physical assets, systems that support learning, data, and intelligent technologies are becoming equally vital to national development.”
However, current learning outcomes remain a significant challenge, with nine in ten children in sub-Saharan Africa unable to read or perform basic mathematics by the age of 10.
The partnership aims to address these gaps by directing resources toward solutions that reflect local needs, empower teachers, and support students, with a strong focus on strengthening early-grade literacy and numeracy as a foundation for lifelong learning.
The collaboration will deploy a combined USD 40 million over four years, with ADQ contributing up to USD 20 million. Funding will support two flagship initiatives aimed at expanding the ethical and evidence-based use of AI in education.this
The first, AI-for-Education, is a global initiative launched in 2022 that develops practical AI-enabled learning models and provides expert guidance to governments across the Global South.
The second is the EdTech and AI Fund, a new multi-investor vehicle set to launch next year, which will focus on scaling proven EdTech and AI solutions across sub-Saharan Africa.
Jointly anchored by ADQ and the Gates Foundation, the fund will be the first dedicated to national-level expansion of interventions that have demonstrated measurable improvements in foundational learning.health
Despite growing interest in digital education, the sector faces significant challenges.
More than 93 percent of EdTech products in low- and middle-income countries lack evidence of learning impact, sub-Saharan Africa attracts just two percent of global EdTech venture capital, and only four percent of children in the region consistently use EdTech tools.
“AI has enormous potential to transform learning and expand opportunity,” said Bill Gates, Chair of the Gates Foundation.
“By applying these tools responsibly and building on approaches that are already showing results, we can help more children develop the foundational skills that shape their futures.”
The partnership seeks to address these gaps by prioritising solutions with demonstrated effectiveness and scalability.
Earlier this year, the Gates Foundation announced a USD 240 million expansion of its Global Education Program, a four-year initiative aimed at helping 15 million children in sub-Saharan Africa and India learn more effectively through cost-efficient, evidence-based approaches.
Building on this momentum, the UAE is leveraging its expertise in innovation and technical deployment to support the integration and scaling of AI in education.
The partnership aligns with growing momentum for education reform across Africa, including commitments made at the 2025 African Union Summit to end learning poverty by 2035.in
By supporting AI and EdTech solutions that meet the needs of teachers and learners, the initiative aims to accelerate learning gains and contribute to a more inclusive and prosperous future for Africa’s young population.
About ADQ
ADQ is an active sovereign investor focused on critical infrastructure and global supply chains.
Established in 2018 and based in Abu Dhabi, ADQ invests across key sectors including energy and utilities, transport and logistics, food and agriculture, healthcare, financial services, and digital infrastructure.
Through a long-term, value-driven approach, ADQ aims to support sustainable economic growth and build resilient foundations for future generations.
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