KIGALI, Rwanda (BG) – The Government of Rwanda and the Gates Foundation on Friday announced the launch of a new initiative to boost artificial intelligence innovation across Africa.

During the Global AI Summit on Africa, held in Kigali on April 3–4, the two parties signed a memorandum of understanding to establish the Rwanda Artificial Intelligence Scaling Hub.

The partnership, facilitated through Rwanda’s Ministry of ICT and Innovation, aims to accelerate the development and responsible deployment of AI technologies both within Rwanda and throughout the continent.

Paula Ingabire, Rwanda’s Minister of ICT and Innovation, and Dr. Trevor Mundel, President of Global Health at the Gates Foundation, signed the MoU during the summit.

Hosted by the Rwanda Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR Rwanda), the AI Scaling Hub will serve as a central platform to identify, develop, and scale high-impact AI solutions that address national and regional challenges.

The hub will focus on deploying AI technologies ethically, inclusively, and sustainably.

Through the agreement, the Gates Foundation has pledged up to $7.5 million over the next three years to support the growth of AI innovation in Rwanda.

Conversations are also underway to establish similar hubs in Senegal, Kenya, and Nigeria.

Speaking on the partnership’s significance, Ingabire said, “We’re excited about this partnership with the Gates Foundation around the AI Scaling Hub, designed to be a platform where we can scale AI solutions — starting with three sectors: healthcare, agriculture, and education.”

She noted that the initiative will build on proven ideas, helping them scale in Rwanda and across the continent.

Mundel emphasized the broader impact of the initiative, saying, “We look forward to continuing this effort with partners across the continent, working together to break down barriers to scale and help move promising AI innovation to impact.”

The MoU reflects a shared commitment to building African-led AI ecosystems and sets the stage for greater regional collaboration in shaping Africa’s AI-driven future.

Bantu Gazette Reporting From Kigali, Rwanda