ADQ, an active sovereign investor focused on critical infrastructure, has announced a significant partnership with the Gates Foundation to advance the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education technology (EdTech) in Sub-Saharan Africa. The announcement took place during Abu Dhabi Finance Week, coinciding with a visit from Bill Gates, chair of the Gates Foundation, to the UAE. Together, the organizations will invest a combined USD 40 million over four years, with ADQ contributing up to USD 20 million to address persistent educational challenges in the region.
The partnership aims to enhance educational outcomes by promoting ethical AI and developing essential educational infrastructure. As education systems adapt to a digital landscape, tools such as digital learning platforms and AI-enabled solutions are becoming critical for national development. ADQ’s investment strategy recognizes that, in addition to physical and digital assets, these educational technologies are vital for building human capital and fostering long-term economic competitiveness.
Sub-Saharan Africa faces a pressing educational crisis: by 2050, the region will have one in every three of the world’s young people, yet nine out of ten children are unable to read or perform basic math by age 10. This partnership seeks to direct funding toward local solutions that empower educators and students alike. Strengthening early-grade literacy and numeracy is crucial for improving educational outcomes and supporting broader economic growth across the continent.
The two flagship programs under this partnership include AI-for-Education, a global initiative launched in 2022 that develops practical AI-enabled learning models and provides guidance to governments in the Global South, and the EdTech and AI Fund, which is set to launch next year. This multi-investor vehicle, co-led by ADQ and the Gates Foundation, will focus on scaling proven EdTech and AI solutions throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. It will be the first fund specifically aimed at national-level expansion of interventions demonstrated to enhance foundational learning.
Despite the promise of AI and EdTech, the sector faces considerable challenges. Over 93 percent of EdTech products in low and middle-income countries lack rigorous testing for their learning impact. Moreover, only two percent of global EdTech venture capital is attracted by Sub-Saharan Africa, where just four percent of children consistently use EdTech tools. These statistics underscore the urgent need for investment in evidence-based solutions that can meaningfully improve educational outcomes.
Earlier this year, the Gates Foundation committed USD 240 million to its Global Education Program, aimed at helping 15 million children in Sub-Saharan Africa and India learn more effectively. This four-year effort will focus on delivering cost-efficient, evidence-based solutions in partnership with local governments. The collaboration with ADQ builds on this momentum, leveraging the UAE’s strengths in innovation to accelerate the integration of AI in education.
“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,” stated His Excellency Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of ADQ. “By combining our investment capabilities with the expertise of leading institutions, we aim to strengthen education systems and equip millions of young people across the African continent with the skills they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world.”
Bill Gates added, “AI has enormous potential to transform learning and expand opportunity. This partnership brings together the expertise needed to apply these tools responsibly and scale approaches already showing results.”
With growing momentum for education reform across Africa, exemplified by commitments made at the 2025 African Union Summit to eradicate learning poverty by 2035, the prospects for substantial progress are increasingly favorable. Enhanced technology, expanding local expertise, and increased collaboration are laying a stronger foundation for change. By supporting the implementation of AI and EdTech in ways that adequately address the needs of teachers and students, this partnership aims to facilitate accelerated learning gains and contribute to a more prosperous and inclusive future for the continent’s youth.
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