South Africa’s WeThinkCode_ recently secured a $2 million grant from Google.org to expand its artificial intelligence (AI) training programs across South Africa and Kenya. This funding addresses the pressing digital skills gap stifling many African countries as they grapple with rapid technological changes shaping today’s and future job markets. The initiative underscores a broader effort to empower underserved communities through accessible, cutting-edge tech education, especially at a time when AI expertise remains scarce across the continent.
WeThinkCode_ was founded in Johannesburg in 2015 by Arlene Mulder, Camille Agon, and Yossi Hasson. The academy stands out by offering a tuition-free, aptitude-based training model focused on youth from underserved backgrounds. It targets learners from low-income households in peri-urban and rural areas, fostering inclusivity and emphasizing the increased participation of women in software development. This approach not only promotes social equity but also aligns with wider development goals, nurturing diverse talent in the technology sector—a crucial move given the historical exclusion of these groups from digital economies.
The recent grant from Google.org will help WeThinkCode_ dramatically scale its AI training efforts, aiming to reach around 12,000 learners in South Africa and Kenya. Reports reveal a stark shortage of AI-capable talent in Africa, with up to nine out of ten companies citing difficulties sourcing qualified individuals. This gap represents a major bottleneck, impeding digital transformation and innovation on what many expect to be the world’s next frontier for technology-driven growth. By boosting AI proficiency, WeThinkCode_ is addressing an urgent market need and helping to build a foundational workforce prepared for AI-driven economies.
To maximize accessibility and practical impact, WeThinkCode_ is enhancing its Learning Management System (LMS) to support hybrid training formats, combining remote and in-person learning. The program also incorporates local language support, acknowledging linguistic diversity and aiming to dismantle educational barriers that often exclude rural or non-English-speaking populations. This thoughtful design ensures that learners not only gain theoretical knowledge of AI but develop skills directly applicable to the evolving job market. With AI increasingly shaping roles across industries, equipping students with such competencies is a strategic investment in employability and socioeconomic upliftment.
Africa’s broader digital economy landscape highlights the importance of these developments. Cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg are positioning themselves as burgeoning digital hubs, attracting entrepreneurs and innovators hoping to connect with global markets. Nevertheless, systemic challenges persist—particularly the limited access to advanced digital skills and mentorship vital for sustaining innovation pipelines. Programs like WeThinkCode_’s AI training play a crucial role in filling these gaps by nurturing local talent that can act as both skilled employees and future founders of digital enterprises. This dual impact has the potential to energize the continent’s tech ecosystem from multiple angles.
Google.org’s investment also reflects a larger global trend where technology giants are increasingly prioritizing capacity-building in emerging markets. Similar initiatives, such as Google’s $5.8 million pledge for cybersecurity and AI training in Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa, exemplify this growing commitment. The rationale is clear: Africa’s booming youth population combined with fast-expanding digital economies presents vast untapped potential. Unlocking this requires accessible, high-quality technical education to produce the next generation of data scientists, machine learning engineers, and AI specialists who can drive innovation forward.
WeThinkCode_ CEO Nyari Samushonga emphasizes the strategic urgency of such interventions, warning that without timely and inclusive AI training efforts, Africa risks falling behind in the global digital revolution. She stresses that AI is reshaping employment landscapes so profoundly that large-scale upskilling programs are indispensable. By focusing on world-class AI education tailored specifically to the continent’s needs, the initiative aligns with projected job market trends and helps build a locally sourced talent pipeline capable of competing worldwide.
Beyond economic factors, this initiative contributes to bridging digital divides both within countries and across the region. By engaging diverse learners, including those from under-resourced and rural communities, WeThinkCode_ fosters equitable access to technology education. Enhanced availability of AI skills can unlock new career pathways previously out of reach for many, facilitating socioeconomic mobility and participation in emergent fields increasingly dominated by automation and machine intelligence.
WeThinkCode_’s $2 million grant from Google.org thus represents more than financial support—it is a strategic investment in Africa’s technological future. Its inclusive, language-adapted, and hybrid AI training programs position the academy to uplift thousands of young people who might otherwise be excluded from the digital economy. In tackling the continent’s chronic shortage of AI talent, this initiative empowers a generation to take meaningful roles in global digital innovation. As Africa’s digital economy continues to unfold, efforts like these will be essential to unlocking human capital, sparking entrepreneurship, and ensuring the workforce is ready to thrive in an AI-driven world.
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