Endorsed by the G7 leaders, the AI Hub for Sustainable Development is designed to re-imagine global AI partnerships and power local ecosystems with Africa

Official Opening Day

20 June 2025
09:00 A.M. - 12:20 P.M.

UNDP Italy
Viale Guido Baccelli, 86, 00153, Roma RM

The AI Hub for Sustainable Development

Our mission is to nurture a space where novel ideas emerge and thrive, with transformative solutions by Africa’s innovators and start-ups to build AI foundations—in areas of green compute, data and talent. Connecting everyone into an ecosystem where they can grow together and advance prosperity for all is at the AI Hub's core.

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, catalyzing transformation across six key sectors.

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.

Bold solutions and partnerships are required to meet the unique needs of the African AI market. Based in Rome, Italy, the AI Hub for Sustainable Development recognizes the importance of reimagining global models and resources to match the realities and ambitions of African innovators.

No prior technology cycle has matched AI’s potential to accelerate Africa’s industrial development. Join us to co-design exponential solutions and infrastructure, working with AI innovators and start-ups across borders.

Joining Us

The official opening will include political and private sector leaders across G7, the EU, Italy and Africa, with notable mentions including:

BRAD SMITH

President Microsoft

His Excellency Amr Talaat

Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Egypt

His Excellency Samuel Nartey George

Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Ghana

Ambassador Philip Thigo

Special Envoy on Technology for the Republic of Kenya

Solomon Quaynor

Vice President, Private Sector, Infrastructure & Industrialization, the African Development Bank

Oswald Jumira

CEO of Liquid C2 Cassava Technologies

Massimo Dal Checco

President, Confindustria Anitec Assinform

Her Excellency Elissa Golberg

Ambassador of Canada to Italy

Uljan Sharka

Founder & CEO, Domyn


and many more that will inspire us to evolve, co-create and innovate.

“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 interesting projects for the market.” 

– Adolfo Urso – Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Government of Italy

First Wave of Core Initiatives

The official launch of the AI Hub for Sustainable Development will spotlight the first wave of core initiatives aimed at accelerating AI-enabled industrial development across Africa.

The Africa Green Compute Coalition (AGCC)

A flagship of the AI Hub, working with core design partners from G7, Italy and Kenya: Alliance4AI, Axum, Kytabu and Cineca to exponentially enable access to scalable, sustainable, and affordable AI compute infrastructure – understanding and partnering with both supply and demand - to precisely target climate positive innovations and industrial development across Africa.
Compute Accelerator Programme

An initiative 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 space where Africa’s AI Infrastructure builders are connected to an integrated network of government and financing, where they can shape the partnerships that the continent of Africa needs with the G7, Italy, and the European Union.
AI Hub Platform

An AI gateway that is foundational and transformational to how the world will engage with Africa to advance AI.

AI Art for Industries Walkthrough

A curated exhibition featuring AI-generated artwork submitted through an open call by African and Italian creators, showcasing their vision for the future of industrial growth in Africa, powered by AI. These are among the more than 100 submissions received across the 14 partner countries of the Italy-Africa Mattei Plan and Italy.

ALGERIA

'Echoes of M’Zab, Dreams of Tomorrow'
Djehaf Kaouthar

ANGOLA

 'Green Future with African AI'
Chissola Marlene Neto Manuel

EGYPT

'Nile Nexus: AI Rebirth'
Anas Youssef

ETHIOPIA

'Climate Roast: AI Coffee Futures'
Zekarias Yemane Berhe

GHANA

'Roots of Innovation: Dual Consciousness with AI'
Abigail Oppong

ITALY

'Langhe Connected by African Heart'
Maura Micucci

IVORY COAST

'Graines d'Avenir Ivoirien'
Eric Adé Tanauh

KENYA

'AfroTech Farm: AI in Kenya'
Stephen Ndiema

MAURITANIA

'Digital Lights of the Desert'
Sidi Mohamed Hmeyti

MOROCCO

 'DeepRoots, DeepLeaf'
El Mahdi Aboulmanadel

MOZAMBIQUE

'Dreaming Tomorrow in Rural Mozambique'
Mário Neves Gonçalo Chilundo

REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

'A futuristic vision of Congo powered by AI'
Matt Glesmycene Seinzor

SENEGAL

'Woman, Land, and Data'
Oumar Ndiaye

TANZANIA

'Isle of Plenty'
Mc Donald Nyoni

TUNISIA

'Tunisia’s AI Learning Horizon'
Amen Allah Heni

Keep watching this space for updates on the upcoming launch.
Get in touch: digital.support@undp.org