The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has partnered with Intel Corporation to expand artificial intelligence (AI) capacity in developing countries, with early successes emerging in Lesotho and Liberia. The collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in March 2025, aims to bridge global expertise with local needs, ensuring inclusive access to AI skills and digital transformation.
As AI continues to reshape economies and societies, the partnership focuses on equipping communities with the knowledge and tools needed to participate in the digital future. Through UNDP’s Digital, AI and Innovation Hub, the initiative delivers training and learning content tailored to diverse environments, including low-connectivity settings.
Both Lesotho and Liberia have outlined ambitious digital goals. Lesotho is targeting universal digital access by 2030, while Liberia is investing in integrating AI into higher education and governance systems. UNDP has played a central role in supporting these national strategies by promoting digital inclusion and building local capacity.
In Lesotho, the foundation for digital transformation had already been established through a network of 40 Digital Skills Learning Labs and 40 trained Digital Ambassadors, including teachers and community leaders. However, the country faced a gap in locally relevant AI learning content. This was addressed through Intel’s “AI for Citizens” programme, which introduced practical, hands-on training materials designed for communities with limited internet access. The programme uses interactive methods such as storytelling, games, and analogue tools to explain complex concepts like computer vision, demonstrating that effective digital learning can go beyond traditional online formats.
In Liberia, the partnership has focused on advancing higher education and public sector innovation. A major milestone has been the support provided to the University of Liberia in developing its first Master’s programme in AI. The initiative combined global expertise with local collaboration, including online sessions with international specialists and in-person workshops involving faculty members to design a curriculum tailored to national needs.
The collaboration has also extended to the public sector, with nearly 100 government officials receiving training on how AI can enhance service delivery and inform policy decisions. Engagements with senior leaders have highlighted the country’s commitment to adopting responsible and forward-looking digital strategies.
Intel’s technical expertise has been instrumental in shaping both the academic curriculum and training programmes. The partnership has already led to a licensing agreement granting the University of Liberia access to Intel’s specialized AI training resources, enabling faster development of industry-aligned courses and strengthening the country’s emerging talent pipeline.
Looking ahead, the initiative aims to scale its impact further. In Lesotho, Digital Ambassadors are expected to take AI training into local communities, building awareness and fostering grassroots engagement. In Liberia, the new AI programme is set to play a key role in developing future talent, while continued government training will support modernization efforts.
Future phases of the partnership may include expanding to additional countries, adapting training materials to local languages, and integrating more digital components as connectivity improves.
The UNDP–Intel collaboration represents a broader model for how international organizations and private sector leaders can work together to drive inclusive digital growth. By combining development expertise with technological innovation, the partnership is helping ensure that the benefits of AI reach communities that are often left behind in the global digital transition.
