Impact Funding Resources
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.
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.
End Date08 Sep 2025 Funding AmountUpto CAD 1mn Funding Resource TypeGrant
Funding ProviderInternational Development Research Centre (IDRC)
Grant
International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
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.
For more information, please consult the detailed Call for Concept Notes.
https://idrc-crdi.ca/en/call-concept-notes-socio-economic-impacts-artificial-intelligence-africa
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.
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
