Mattei Plan Launches AI Hub to Boost Sustainable Development and Empower 500,000 African Startups
The Italian government, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is set to inaugurate the AI Hub for sustainable development on June 16, 2025. This initiative aims to transform the artificial intelligence ecosystem across Africa while strengthening related industrial capabilities.
Officially presented in Rome on June 20, the AI Hub will initially involve 14 African countries participating in the Mattei Plan. The platform is designed as a collaborative space to accelerate AI-driven growth, with the long-term vision of expanding the project into a broader European initiative for Africa.
Key Objectives and Early Interest
The AI Hub intends to support up to 500 African startups by 2028 and generate between 30 and 50 high-impact private sector partnerships. It also plans to attract up to ten external investments focused on AI supply chains within the first three years. Already, 35 private sector entities have expressed interest in the project.
These efforts align with the broader context of Italy’s commitment to addressing urgent challenges in Africa, such as the food crisis. Hosting the United Nations agri-food hub, Italy leverages its position to reinforce support for sustainable development through AI technologies.
Strategic Timing and Location
The launch coincides with the Mattei Plan-Global Gateway summit in Rome, co-chaired by Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The event will gather numerous African leaders and multilateral institution heads.
Choosing Rome as the AI Hub’s headquarters offers Italy a competitive edge in becoming a central operational base for AI development. Italy is also positioning itself to host one of the four EU-designated AI gigafactories expected to be identified by year-end, linking the initiative to both the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy and the African Union’s development goals.
Upcoming Events and Participation
The presentation event anticipates 127 confirmed participants, including 40 representatives from the African private sector, with expectations for over 500 online participants worldwide. Prior to the launch, two preparatory meetings will be held to introduce the executive steering group and discuss the main AI sector challenges.
Kenya is a significant focus, as it accounts for over a third of the 300 African startups that responded to the UNDP call for the AI Hub last October. Egypt and other African nations are also key contributors to the initiative.
Complementary Initiatives Supporting the AI Hub
- Africa Green Compute Coalition: A partnership involving UNDP, Alliance4AI, Kenyan Kytabu, and pan-African Axum, aimed at improving access to sustainable computing infrastructures across Africa.
- Compute Accelerator Program: Addresses the shortage of computing resources for African AI companies.
- Infrastructure Builder: Supports a select group of infrastructure builders in data centers, energy, and hardware, providing business planning assistance and promoting institutional partnerships.
Collaborations and Partnerships
The AI Hub brings together governments from the 14 African Mattei Plan member countries, Confindustria, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, and the African Development Bank. Industry leaders such as Microsoft, Cisco, Cassava Technologies, Cineca, and Confindustria Anitec-Assinform are expected to formalize partnerships.
Additionally, agreements are planned with the Republic of Congo for structured collaboration, a formal administrative agreement with the European Commission, and a three-year cooperation memorandum between Italy’s Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy (Mimit) and Leonardo’s Med-Or Foundation.
This initiative reflects a broad commitment to leveraging AI for sustainable development and industrial growth in Africa, with strong support from both European and African institutions.
For professionals interested in AI applications and development in emerging markets, this project represents a significant opportunity to engage with a growing ecosystem. To explore practical AI training and courses that support such initiatives, visit Complete AI Training.
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