ADQ and the Gates Foundation have announced a four-year, $40 million partnership to enhance the responsible use of AI and education technology (EdTech) aimed at improving foundational learning outcomes across sub-Saharan Africa. The announcement was made during Abu Dhabi Finance Week, coinciding with a visit by Bill Gates, Chair of the Gates Foundation, to the UAE.
The initiative is critical as nine out of ten children in sub-Saharan Africa cannot read or perform basic math by age 10. This educational shortfall comes despite projections that the region will host one-third of the world’s youth by 2050. The funding will support the AI-for-Education program, alongside the launch of a new EdTech and AI Fund next year, designed to scale proven solutions at a national level.
The partnership seeks to address significant funding and evidence gaps in EdTech, where over 93% of products in low- and middle-income countries lack proof of learning impact. Sub-Saharan Africa receives only 2% of global EdTech venture capital, and just 4% of children in the region regularly use these technologies. This initiative aligns with commitments made during the 2025 African Union Summit to eliminate learning poverty by 2035.
ADQ, a sovereign investor focusing on critical infrastructure and global supply chains, aims to accelerate the responsible adoption of AI and EdTech to bolster education systems across the region. As educational frameworks transition, digital learning platforms and AI-enabled solutions are increasingly regarded as essential infrastructure, akin to transport and energy systems, necessary for long-term competitiveness.
By 2050, Africa will host one in three of the world’s youth, yet the current educational landscape presents significant challenges. The partnership will channel resources toward solutions tailored to local needs, empowering teachers and supporting students, thereby fostering sustained progress in education. Strengthening early-grade literacy and numeracy is vital for enhancing overall learning outcomes and driving regional growth.
The collaboration will leverage a combined investment of $40 million, with ADQ contributing up to $20 million, aimed at overcoming persistent educational challenges through two flagship programs. AI-for-Education, a global initiative launched in 2022, focuses on developing practical AI-enabled learning models and providing expert guidance to governments in the Global South. The upcoming EdTech and AI Fund will be the first of its kind dedicated to national-level expansion of successful interventions proven to enhance foundational learning.
Generative AI presents unique opportunities to improve established educational methodologies, although evidence supporting effective practices remains scarce. In light of underfunding and limited reach, the partnership is poised to make a meaningful impact. Earlier this year, the Gates Foundation announced a $240 million expansion of its Global Education Program, a four-year initiative aimed at helping 15 million children in sub-Saharan Africa and India access effective, evidence-based learning solutions in partnership with governments.
“As part of the UAE’s commitment to advancing AI and technology-enabled solutions, this partnership underscores ADQ’s dedication to making a meaningful impact for both current and future generations across global markets,” said His Excellency Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADQ. “While traditional investments have focused on physical assets, systems that support learning, data, and intelligent technologies are becoming equally vital for national development.”
Bill Gates noted, “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 that are already showing results.” The UAE’s leadership in leveraging innovation to enhance educational opportunities contributes to the partnership’s goals of enabling children to develop the foundational skills necessary for their futures.
With the increasing momentum for educational reform across Africa—bolstered by commitments made at the 2025 African Union Summit to eradicate learning poverty by 2035—the environment for significant progress has never been more favorable. The synergy of technological advances, expanding local expertise, and collaborative efforts is laying a stronger foundation for change. This partnership aims to apply AI and EdTech in ways that address the specific needs of teachers and students, ultimately accelerating learning gains and contributing to a prosperous and inclusive future for Africa’s youth.
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