Call for concept notes: Socio-economic impacts of artificial intelligence in Africa

Scope

The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), as part of the Artificial Intelligence for Development (AI4D) program, are pleased to announce a call for concept notes on the socio-economic impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) in Africa.  

This call supports research that explores how AI is reshaping labour markets, productivity, and inequality across Africa, supporting policy makers to ensure AI works for everyone, especially the most vulnerable.

We invite concept notes that explore the socio-economic impacts of AI in African LMICs, with a focus on differential impacts, inequality and marginalized populations. Projects should address key knowledge gaps and generate evidence to guide responsible AI policies.

Responsible AI is safe, inclusive, rights-based, ethical, and sustainable AI.

Research should align with one or more of the following themes:

• Labour and Livelihoods: How AI is transforming labour markets and employment, especially for youth and informal workers.  
• Productivity and Economic Transformation: The role of AI in reshaping sectors and supporting inclusive growth.
• Poverty and Inequality: Risks of exclusion and unequal benefit distribution across demographic groups.
• Global Inequality and AI Colonialism: Power imbalances in AI development and strategies for local innovation.

Through this call, AI4D will award up to four grants for up to CAD1 million per project. Projects must be completed within 36 months, including all research and reporting activities. Only short-listed teams will be asked to submit full research proposals for review and funding consideration. Selected projects are anticipated to begin on January 1, 2026. 

Eligibility

Applicants must be legally registered organizations based in African low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with relevant expertise and institutional capacity. Proposals and team expertise must align with the call’s themes. Teams need to meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the call.  

More details

For more information, please consult the detailed Call for Concept Notes.  

If you have any questions about this call, please contact the AI4D team at ai4dafrica@idrc.ca before September 8, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. 

Following the launch of the call for proposals, IDRC organized an information session to address any queries from potential applicants. We invite you to watch the recordings, available in English or French.  The PowerPoint deck for the presentation is available in here.