LocationsGlobal Partnerships for Local Impact: UNDP and Intel Join Hands to Strengthen AI Capacity in Lesotho and Liberia
March 30, 2026
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming economies and societies worldwide, but for many communities, a challenge remains: how do we ensure no one is left behind? For UNDP, the path forward is powered by partnerships that combine global expertise with local leadership.
In March 2025, the UNDP and its Digital, AI and Innovation Hub signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Intel Corporation to bring AI training and learning content to communities globally. This collaboration is already making a tangible difference in two countries at the forefront of UNDP’s digital transformation efforts: Lesotho and Liberia.
A Shared Vision for Inclusive AI
Both Lesotho and Liberia have set ambitious goals for digital inclusion. Lesotho aims for universal digital access by 2030, while Liberia is investing in AI within higher education and governance systems to prepare for the future digital economy.
UNDP has been a key partner in these journeys, working to ensure that citizens not only have access to technology but also the skills and confidence to use it. Through the MoU with Intel, UNDP is bridging critical gaps in AI literacy and capacity building; helping communities understand and anticipate the role of AI in everyday life.
Lesotho: Turning Infrastructure into Impact
UNDP's Lesotho Country Office has already laid strong foundations for digital transformation:
- 40 Digital Skills Learning Labs across the country.
- 40 trained Digital Ambassadors - trusted community figures such as teachers, religious leaders, and local influencers; who act as digital champions in their areas.
While this network provided infrastructure, the country lacked the resources to create locally relevant learning content. Intel’s “AI for Citizens (AI Community Experiences)” program filled that gap by providing high-quality, hands-on training materials designed for low-connectivity environments.
The onboarding process itself showcased the power of digital collaboration. In a lively virtual session, trainers from Intel engaged with Lesotho’s Digital Ambassadors through interactive games and storytelling exercises, bridging continents and proving that innovation knows no borders.
By using analogue activities and puzzles to explain concepts like computer vision, the program ensures that even communities with limited internet access can learn foundational AI skills. This approach demonstrates that digital inclusion isn’t just about technology, it is about design that meets learners where they are.
Liberia: Advancing AI for Higher Education and Public Sector Innovation
In Liberia, the UNDP–Intel partnership took a different but equally impactful form. A landmark step was supporting the University of Liberia in designing their first Master of AI programme, equipping future leaders with advanced AI knowledge and positioning Liberia to drive long-term digital transformation. The process combined six online sessions with global experts, sharing best practices for integrating AI into academic programs, with in-person workshops where UNDP and Intel collaborated with 20 faculty members to co-create a curriculum tailored to Liberia’s needs. This blended approach ensures the programme is globally informed yet locally relevant, laying the foundation for advanced AI education.
The collaboration also extended to government, providing targeted training to nearly 100 officials on practical ways AI can improve public service delivery and inform policy decisions. Meetings with senior leaders, including the Minister of Posts & Telecommunications and the Director General of the Cabinet, underscored Liberia’s commitment to responsible innovation.
Intel’s technical expertise was critical throughout, ensuring the curriculum and training were comprehensive and future-ready. Anshul Sonak, Global Head - Intel Digital Readiness Programs, reflected: “We are deeply honored to be a part of the AI training collaboration in Liberia with UNDP. Bringing AI skills and digital literacy to a country rich in history and potential was an amazing experience. We look forward to more collaborations in the future and finding more opportunities for Intel to be a player in the region.”
From rural communities in Lesotho to university classrooms and government offices in Liberia, the collaboration with Intel is creating pathways for inclusive digital growth.
What’s Next: Scaling AI Readiness Across Borders
The journey doesn’t end here. In Lesotho, Digital Ambassadors will take the “AI for Citizens” training into their local areas, sparking conversations and building awareness at the grassroots level. In Liberia, the Master of AI programme will serve as a cornerstone for future talent development, while AI for Government initiatives will help modernize public services.
A notable early outcome is a new Licensing Agreement between Intel and the University of Liberia, giving the University direct access to Intel’s specialized training content. This enables faculty to quickly develop a full, industry-aligned curriculum and accelerate the rollout of technical programmes to students, strengthening Liberia’s emerging AI talent pipeline. Future phases of the partnership may include expanding training to more communities and countries, adapting content to local languages and contexts, and integrating online components as connectivity improves.
This partnership is more than a training effort; it’s a blueprint for how UNDP and private-sector leaders can work together to drive inclusive digital transformation. By combining UNDP’s development mandate with Intel’s technical expertise, we’re turning potential into action and ensuring that no one is left behind in the AI revolution. As Dhani Spiller, Head of UNDP’s Digital Capacity Lab notes: “This partnership shows what’s possible when we combine UNDP’s development mandate with the innovation and technical depth of private-sector leaders.”
Here’s to a collaboration that is impactful, meaningful, and just getting started.