Mohieldin: AI Among Strongest Drivers Boosting Productivity Growth

Artificial intelligence has evolved into a strategic economic and development technology rather than a purely technical innovation, according to Mahmoud Mohieldin, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Speaking during a keynote panel at the Disruptech Sharm 2026: Fintech and Beyond conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, Mohieldin said global economic analyses increasingly identify AI as one of the most promising tools to boost productivity and counter slowing growth worldwide.

He highlighted the growing convergence between financial technology, artificial intelligence, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in emerging markets and Egypt. “AI offers a rare opportunity to raise productivity at a time when the global economy is grappling with structural growth constraints,” he said.

For emerging economies such as Egypt, Mohieldin argued that AI’s importance is magnified by its potential to fast-track progress toward the SDGs. He pointed to tangible applications across critical sectors including healthcare, education, and environmental protection, where data-driven systems can significantly improve efficiency and service delivery.

Assessing Egypt’s preparedness, Mohieldin noted that the country ranks first in Africa and 51st globally in the 2025 Government AI Readiness Index. However, he cautioned that structural constraints remain, particularly in computing capacity, which scored just 7.91, underscoring the need to translate political readiness into scalable digital and computational infrastructure.

Mohieldin outlined a roadmap for turning AI into a sustainable investment and development opportunity while avoiding technological dependency. Key pillars include strengthening digital infrastructure to ensure affordable access to cloud computing and data, investing in human capital through education and training focused on AI and data science, and establishing responsible governance frameworks based on transparency, accountability, and fairness to build trust and attract investment.

He also emphasized targeted deployment of AI in sectors capable of delivering rapid, measurable impact, such as optimizing energy networks and advancing precision agriculture. Mobilizing finance through public-private partnerships and blended finance mechanisms, he added, is essential to de-risk projects and accelerate capital flows into sustainable initiatives.

On financial technology, Mohieldin highlighted its ability to bridge global financial inclusion gaps, noting that around 1.4 billion adults worldwide still lack access to basic financial services. Fintech, he said, is reshaping the economics of inclusion by lowering transaction costs and expanding reach through mobile wallets, digital banking, and agent networks.

AI-driven credit scoring models and alternative data, he added, have already expanded access to lending for individuals previously excluded from formal credit markets.

However, Mohieldin stressed that translating innovation into tangible financial inclusion will require wider use of blended finance tools to unlock private investment, particularly given the estimated $4.2 trillion annual global financing gap for achieving the SDGs.

“Artificial intelligence and fintech are not silver bullets,” he concluded, “but if deployed strategically and responsibly, they can become powerful engines for productivity, inclusion, and sustainable development.”