Africa's AI Moment: Building a future powered by technology and talent

Africa stands to accelerate its growth through AI as more people gain connectivity and harness technology for good. Across the continent, a new generation of innovators are harnessing technology to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges, and to build a brighter future for themselves and their communities. At Google, we’ve been a committed partner in Africa's digital transformation journey for nearly two decades, and we're energised by the incredible momentum we're continuing to see.

One of the most exciting areas of opportunity is Artificial Intelligence. AI has the potential to transform industries, drive economic growth, and create solutions for challenges ranging from healthcare to climate change. Our recently released Digital Opportunity of Africa report projects that AI could contribute a staggering $30 billion to Sub-Saharan Africa's economy by 2030 — but to unlock this potential, we need to equip people with the skills and resources they need to build and use AI responsibly and effectively.

That's why we're thrilled to announce a $5.8 million commitment to accelerate AI skilling initiatives across Sub-Saharan Africa. This investment will support organisations working to empower people across the continent with the skills they need to thrive in an AI-powered world.

Our commitment goes beyond just technical expertise. We aim to foster a deeper understanding of AI across society, ensuring everyone can participate in and benefit from this technological revolution. We'll be supporting programs that:

• Empower workers with essential AI skills: Providing people across various industries with the knowledge to effectively utilise AI tools and technologies.
• Educate teens about AI safety and ethics: Empowering young people to become responsible and informed users of AI, understanding its potential impact on society.
• Equip non-profit leaders with foundational AI skills: Helping non-profit organisations leverage AI to amplify their impact and address social challenges more effectively.
• Support the public sector with AI skilling: Enabling governments to develop and implement AI-powered solutions for public services and policymaking.

We witnessed firsthand how African innovators are already using AI to address critical challenges and develop solutions for the continent and the world. In Kenya, Jacaranda Health, a non-profit organisation dedicated to maternal and newborn health, is using AI to ensure mothers and babies receive vital care, even in remote areas. Their AI-powered digital health platform, PROMPTS, delivers personalised SMS advice to new and expectant mothers, helping prevent complications and save lives.

Another inspiring example is AirQo, a project that combines human ingenuity with AI and cutting-edge air monitoring technology to combat air pollution across Africa. Led by Engineer Bainomugisha and the Makerere University team, AirQo predicts pollution patterns in major African cities, empowers communities to reduce their risk of exposure, and informs government agencies' efforts to improve air quality.

Investing in research and development

These are just glimpses into the incredible potential of Africa's AI ecosystem. We're committed to supporting this innovation through ongoing investments in research and development, infrastructure, and partnerships.

Our Google Research Africa centres in Accra, Ghana, and Nairobi, Kenya, are hubs for extensive AI research, focused on developing innovative solutions for African challenges and contributing to global advancements in AI. The team is working on focused projects like Open Buildings, which uses AI to identify and map buildings across Africa, providing crucial data for urban planning, disaster relief, and understanding socio-economic development.

We're also thrilled about the work being done at our newly opened Product Development Center in Nairobi, Kenya. This centre is dedicated to building products and features specifically for the African market, including advancements in voice search and typing for African languages, and innovative products like the HTML5 gaming platform which has already reached 1 million daily active users and is designed to work seamlessly on low-bandwidth devices.

Working together to build an AI-powered future

We recognize that we cannot achieve our vision for Africa's AI future alone. That's why we're committed to partnering with governments, non-profits, educational institutions, and the private sector to create an inclusive and thriving AI ecosystem.

In Nigeria, we're supporting the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE) to advance AI talent development by equipping Nigerians with essential AI skills. This includes contributing to the government's 3 million technical talents (3MTT) program, investing in educational programs that introduce AI to teenagers, and backing an equity-free accelerator fund to empower Nigerian AI startups. We're also going to be equipping policymakers with the knowledge and skills to navigate AI and develop responsible AI policies.

We firmly believe that Africa is poised to become a global leader in AI innovation. The continent has a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, a wealth of untapped talent, and a unique perspective on the challenges facing the world. By investing in AI skills development, supporting local innovation, and working in partnership to build a robust AI ecosystem, we can unlock Africa's extraordinary potential and create a future where technology empowers everyone to thrive.

We're excited to be a part of this journey, and we can't wait to see the incredible innovations that will emerge from Africa in the years to come.