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Google.org, the charitable arm of the global tech giant, has committed $5.8 million to promote artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity education across Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. This latest move, announced Monday in Nairobi, highlights Google’s broader vision to cultivate tech skills among Africans, a population ripe with untapped digital potential.
Matt Brittin, Google’s President for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, pointed out the transformative impact AI could have on the continent’s economy, estimating a contribution of $30 billion to sub-Saharan Africa if its power is harnessed inclusively. Brittin explained that the investment wasn’t merely about technology but ensuring the next generation of Africans had the skills and knowledge to actively shape the future. “This funding will help communities, nonprofit leaders, and public institutions understand AI, guiding them to use it ethically and effectively,” he noted.
At the heart of this initiative are partnerships with key African organizations. Among them, the Raspberry Pi Foundation has been granted $300,000 to launch AI literacy programs through Young Scientists Kenya and Nigeria’s Data Scientists Network Foundation. Young Scientists Kenya, renowned for its annual competition that showcases the country’s brightest innovators, will now introduce Kenyan youth to foundational AI skills, preparing them to be future leaders in technology.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Data Scientists Network Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to AI and data science education, received a substantial $1.5 million grant. The organization, which has been at the forefront of data science education in Nigeria, plans to expand its programs for youth and community leaders.
Cybersecurity training also forms a critical part of Google’s plan. South Africa’s Nelson Mandela University, alongside other institutions, will use $500,000 to conduct cybersecurity seminars, a much-needed effort in a region facing rising cyber threats amid digital growth. The program intends to equip both students and professionals with the tools to secure their digital infrastructures.
This funding builds on Google.org’s ongoing support for digital skills development across Africa, which has already reached $20 million. One of the standout beneficiaries, Jacaranda Health, a Kenyan health-tech startup, has been making strides in maternal health using AI to power PROMPTS, an SMS tool that sends personalized health tips to new and expecting mothers. The startup, which focuses on natural language processing in African languages, was awarded $1.4 million to broaden its impact in Kenya’s healthcare sector.
Similarly, AirQo Africa, an initiative addressing air pollution in Africa, has set up two AI-powered monitoring sites in Nairobi with Google’s support, providing critical data to mitigate pollution and improve urban air quality.
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