The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (fcdo) has announced a significant funding initiative, the £4.6 million EthiopiAI Programme, to spur Ethiopia’s development of ethical AI solutions.
This grant program aims to help Ethiopian organisations and their partners create, implement, and use ethical AI tools to close service gaps and increase resilience in essential sectors.
Purpose of EthiopiAI Program
The EthiopiAI Program was purposefully created to fund innovative initiatives that closely correspond with Ethiopia’s national development objectives.
These include Humanitarian Response (by optimising aid delivery and logistics during crises), education (by personalising learning and improving educational access), and Health (by improving diagnostics, patient care, and overall health system efficiency).
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The program also supports Climate Action by developing essential tools for environmental monitoring, sustainable agriculture, and climate adaptation. It also seeks to promote Economic Development by fostering innovation, raising living standards, and opening new avenues for expansion.
Developing sustainable local capacity
The EthiopiAI Program is particularly concentrated on developing sustainable local capacity and providing financial support for technical solutions. For long-term effects, it will guarantee that solutions are incorporated into public sector systems, reinforce regulatory frameworks for the ethical use of AI, and offer technical assistance for civil servant training.
Strong proposals that blend technical innovation with well-defined plans for policy engagement, training, and collaborations with regional institutions are encouraged from organisations.
Applications are due October 3, 2025. Considering the application’s complexity and short timeline, a thorough technical proposal, work plan, budget, and risk assessment are necessary. Candidates are encouraged to get started right away.