A new and significant call for concept notes has been launched, seeking to fund research on the socio-economic impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) in African low- and middle-income countries. This initiative, part of the larger Artificial Intelligence for Development (AI4D) program, is a collaboration between the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The program aims to generate critical evidence and insights to help policymakers ensure that AI development and adoption in Africa is inclusive, equitable, and beneficial for all, especially vulnerable populations.
The call addresses a crucial knowledge gap, as much of the existing research on AI’s socio-economic effects is speculative or focused on contexts in the Global North. While some estimates project that AI could contribute trillions of dollars to Africa’s economy by 2030, there are significant risks of exacerbating existing inequalities, displacing workers, and creating new forms of digital dependency. The new funding opportunity, offering up to CAD 1 million per project for up to four grants, is designed to support African-led research teams in producing context-specific data and analysis.
Research Priorities and Focus Areas
The initiative highlights three key research priorities. First, it seeks to understand how AI is transforming labor markets and livelihoods, with a particular focus on youth and workers in the informal economy. As AI automates certain tasks, research is needed to identify both the potential for job creation and the risks of job displacement and increased precarity. Second, the call will fund projects exploring AI’s role in productivity and economic transformation, examining how the technology is reshaping key sectors and whether it can support inclusive growth.
Finally, a major focus is on poverty and inequality, investigating how AI might amplify existing power imbalances and create new forms of exclusion. This includes a close look at how the benefits and risks of AI are distributed across different demographic groups. The call also touches on the concept of “AI colonialism,” encouraging research into power imbalances in AI development and strategies for local innovation.
Eligible applicants must be legally registered organizations based in African low- and middle-income countries. The deadline for concept note submission is September 17, 2025. This timely initiative underscores the need for proactive, evidence-based policy to harness AI’s potential for development while mitigating its risks, ensuring that Africa can shape its own AI future.
