How AI Can Unlock Opportunities For Africa’s Informal Economy
Featuring Maxwell Gomera, Executive Director of UNDP Africa Sustainable Finance Hub & UNDP South Africa Resident Representative. In this sixth episode of a special series of the Embedded podcast, host Zain Verjee speaks with Maxwell Gomera about how artificial intelligence can reshape international development across Africa. From his early work developing bio-economic models for elephant conservation to his current role leading UNDP's sustainable finance initiatives, Maxwell shares his vision for using AI to solve longstanding development challenges. The conversation explores how AI can unlock financial access for the informal sector, create jobs for Africa's growing youth population, and help communities address problems that have persisted for generations. Recorded at the Global AI Summit on Africa in partnership with The Rwanda Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, this episode examines how data sovereignty and locally-relevant AI solutions can create a more equitable path forward for the continent.
Maxwell Gomera
Maxwell Gomera serves as the UNDP Resident Representative for South Africa and Director for the UNDP Africa Sustainable Finance Hub. With over 20 years of experience as a resource economist specializing in nature conservation and agricultural development, he has made significant contributions to economic development initiatives, including being part of the team that developed the 'Global Green New Deal' following the 2008 financial crisis. In his work at UNDP, Maxwell focuses on how AI can serve as a practical tool for Africa's financial transformation, particularly in using alternative credit data to unlock financing for small businesses traditionally labeled as "too risky" by conventional banking systems. Rather than seeing AI merely as climate technology, he positions it as essential for economic justice and shared prosperity, enabling Africa to transition from resource extraction to becoming creators of sustainable solutions tailored to local realities.