Google has announced a $5.8 million investment aimed at accelerating AI skills development throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. This funding is intended to support organizations that are equipping individuals across the continent with the necessary skills to navigate an increasingly AI-driven world. The tech company emphasized its goal of fostering a broader understanding of artificial intelligence to ensure inclusive access to its benefits.
The $5.8 million commitment will back initiatives that equip professionals in various fields with practical knowledge of AI tools and technologies. Google highlighted its support for programs that focus on educating teens about AI safety and ethics, empowering young people to become responsible AI users. Additionally, initiatives aimed at providing non-profit leaders with foundational AI skills and supporting public sector workers in leveraging AI for improved services and policymaking will receive funding.
Google underlined its dedication to advancing Africa’s AI capabilities through continuous investments in research and development, as well as strategic partnerships. The company’s Google Research Africa centers, located in Accra, Ghana, and Nairobi, Kenya, are key players in this effort, focusing on innovative projects like Open Buildings—an AI-driven initiative that maps structures across Africa to aid urban planning, disaster management, and socio-economic analysis.
Additionally, Google’s new Product Development Center in Nairobi is working on creating products tailored to the African market, such as improved voice search and typing functionalities for local languages, and an HTML5 gaming platform designed for low-bandwidth devices, which has already reached 1 million daily active users. These efforts, Google stated, reflect its long-term commitment to supporting Africa’s growth in the AI sector.