August 13, 2025

Moving with the times\: AI to accelerate continental development

THE African Development Bank (AfDB) is supporting Artificial Intelligence training to help speed up the implementation of the continent-wide development blueprint, Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.

The training is part of broader efforts to enhance institutional and human capacity across the continent.

Through its Joint Secretariat Support Office, the AfDB provided technical and financial backing for the 5th Annual Training Workshop for African Union member states on harnessing AI for effective monitoring, evaluation and reporting on the Second 10-Year Plan (2024–2033) of Agenda 2063.

The five-day workshop, held in Lusaka, Zambia, was jointly organised by the AU Commission and the African Capacity Building Foundation.

Participants developed their technical capacity in using AI tools and digital innovations to monitor, track and report on the implementation of Agenda 2063.

The training is part of broader efforts to enhance institutional and human capacity across the continent.

Practical sessions were provided on emerging AI platforms, including Ailyse, ChatGPT, Google AI Studio, Google Gemini and Perplexity.

These explored how the tools can improve data analysis, enhance decision-making and promote evidence-based policy development in line with Agenda 2063 priorities.

In supporting the workshop, the AfDB highlighted its broader commitment to strengthening results-based planning, monitoring and accountability within the AU framework, while promoting innovation and digital transformation as key enablers of Africa’s development agenda.

Speaking at the workshop, Abibu Tamu, the AfDB’s Lead Programme Co-ordinator, reaffirmed the Bank’s dedication to working closely with the AU Commission and strategic partners to accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2063, particularly its Second 10-Year Implementation Plan.

“These tools are not only revolutionising how data is collected, analysed and reported, they are also enabling more targeted policy interventions and efficient resource allocation,” Tamu said.