By Baboloki Semele
In a groundbreaking move set to transform Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape, the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), in collaboration with Meta and Deloitte, has launched AKILI AI, an Artificial Intelligence-driven platform tailored to support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the African continent. This innovative solution seeks to equip MSMEs with the technological tools and resources they need to overcome the challenges they face and thrive in an increasingly competitive global market.
AKILI AI leverages the advanced capabilities of Meta’s Llama Open Source model and other cutting-edge AI technologies to address critical barriers for MSMEs. These challenges include limited access to finance, navigating complex market dynamics, and the lack of tailored advisory support. By providing these enterprises with practical, data-driven solutions, the platform aims to foster inclusive growth and sustainable development, driving the economic empowerment of African entrepreneurs.
The launch of AKILI AI marks a significant milestone in AUDA-NEPAD’s ongoing efforts to create an enabling environment for MSMEs. Ms. Nardos Bekele-Thomas, CEO of AUDA-NEPAD, emphasized the importance of this initiative during the platform’s unveiling, stating, “The launch of AKILI AI marks a significant milestone in our journey towards empowering African entrepreneurs. By leveraging AI, we are providing MSMEs with the tools they need to overcome challenges and drive sustainable development. This platform is a testament to our commitment to innovation and inclusive growth.”
Furthermore, Ms. Bekele-Thomas highlighted the vital role that partnerships with organizations like Meta and Deloitte play in scaling the impact of such initiatives. “We are also thrilled to partner with Meta and Deloitte on this transformative initiative. AKILI AI showcases the potential of Meta’s Llama model to address real-world challenges faced by MSMEs. We believe this platform will be a catalyst for positive socio-economic change across Africa,” she concluded.
The collaboration with Meta and Deloitte brings together a wealth of expertise in technology and development. Kojo Boakye, Vice President of Public Policy for Africa, the Middle East, and Türkiye at Meta, also spoke passionately about the initiative, saying, “The launch of AKILI AI marks a significant milestone in our mission to democratize access to cutting-edge technology and unlock Africa’s entrepreneurial potential. Leveraging the power of Meta’s Llama Open Source AI model, we are equipping MSMEs with the tools and resources necessary to drive innovation, create jobs, and build a more inclusive and prosperous future for all Africans.”
The partnership is expected to have far-reaching effects, not only in helping MSMEs become more competitive but also in fostering collaborations between governments, private sectors, and international organizations to ensure the scalability of AKILI AI’s impact.
With AKILI AI, Africa is poised to witness a new era of entrepreneurship—one that taps into the transformative power of artificial intelligence to overcome traditional barriers and unlock new growth opportunities for millions of MSMEs across the continent. This bold step not only demonstrates the potential of AI in driving socio-economic change but also sets the stage for a future where Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is more resilient, inclusive, and prosperous.
About AUDA-NEPAD:
African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) is the development agency of the African Union mandated by Assembly of Heads of State and Government to coordinate and execute priority regional and continental projects to promote regional integration towards the accelerated realisation of Agenda 2063. The mandate of AUDA-NEPAD is to: a) Coordinate and Execute priority regional and continental projects to promote regional integration; b) Strengthen capacity of African Union Member States and regional bodies, c) advance knowledge-based advisory support, d) undertake the full range of resource mobilization, and e) serve as the continent’s technical interface with all Africa’s development stakeholders and development partners