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Google Commits $5.8 Million for AI in Sub-Saharan Africa

October 29, 2024

Google Commits $5.8 Million for AI in Sub-Saharan Africa

Google to commit $5.8 million for AI in sub-Saharan Africa to accelerate AI skilling initiatives across the region, aiming to empower individuals and organizations to use AI for economic growth and social impact.

This investment will also support organizations dedicated to equipping people across the continent with essential AI skills.

Google will support programmes that: equip workers with essential AI skills, empower young people to become responsible and informed AI users, train non-profit leaders in foundational AI skills, and allow governments to develop AI-powered solutions for public services and policymaking.

Google emphasised it cannot achieve its vision for Africa’s AI future alone and is committed to partnering with governments, non-profits, educational institutions, and the private sector.

In Nigeria, Google said it is supporting the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE) to advance AI talent development, which includes contributing to the government’s 3MTT programme, investing in educational programmes that introduce AI to teenagers, and backing an equity-free accelerator fund to empower Nigerian AI startups.

In September 2024, Google, in partnership with the Nigerian government, launched a ₦100 million initiative to empower 10 Nigerian startups that use AI in their products.

Google also plans to equip policymakers with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate AI and develop responsible AI policies.

AI could contribute $30 billion to sub-Saharan Africa’s economy by 2030

Google predicts that AI could contribute $30 billion to sub-Saharan Africa’s economy by 2030. However, unlocking this potential will require equipping people with the skills and resources to build and use AI responsibly and effectively.

Google already has centres in countries including Ghana and Kenya, serving as hubs for AI research and developing solutions tailored to African challenges. One such innovation is Open Buildings, an AI project that maps buildings across the continent.

At its Product Development Centre in Kenya, ongoing projects include advancements in voice search and typing for African languages and an HTML5 gaming platform.

After launching its first Africa cloud region in South Africa in January 2024, Google has partnered with Kairos Power to use nuclear energy for its AI data centres, where the first reactor is expected to launch this decade, with additional reactors planned by 2035.

At Google I/O 2024, the company mentioned up to ten AI innovations, unveiling the future of AI-powered search. More of Google’s AI projects in Africa also include AI-driven flood forecasting and Nowcast for weather prediction.

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