Hi Ayodele here,

One of the most exciting shifts happening in tech right now is how Africa is not just catching up, but creating its own future in the AI space. Whether it is bold national strategies or training programs, the continent is steadily investing in its people, its data, and its future.

In this week’s roundup, we look into fresh moves from Nigeria and Kenya that are changing the AI education and policy landscape.

Let us dive in.

Around Africa

AltSchool Launches AI Track to Train Young Africans

AltSchool Africa has launched a new AI education track to equip Africans with practical skills in machine learning, data science, and AI tools. Open to learners across the continent, the program requires no formal degree and offers hands-on training, mentorship, and career support.

The curriculum includes Python, model building, and tools like ChatGPT, with a focus on real-world application and accessibility.

Why it matters

This initiative lowers the barriers to AI education and opens doors for Africans to enter a fast-growing tech field. It is a step toward building homegrown talent and ensuring Africa is not just adopting AI but helping shape its future.

Airtel Nigeria commits ₦1 billion to boost 3MTT tech training program

Nigeria’s ambitious 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program, launched in 2023 to train 3 million people by 2027, just received a major boost. Airtel Nigeria has joined as a key partner, contributing one billion naira to expand digital training access nationwide.

This is not the first big investment. In 2023, IHS Towers, another telecom player, also contributed one billion naira. Together, they are supporting a bold target: to train 1 million Nigerians in AI, cloud computing, and software development.

Airtel will provide internet access and digital learning resources, especially in underserved areas. Meanwhile, IHS Towers is helping set up learning communities across the country to support peer learning and access to tools.

Why it matters

This is more than a training program. It is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s digital future. By focusing on scalable tech skills, the initiative aims to close the digital divide and build a workforce ready for global demand. It also positions Nigeria to become a competitive hub for outsourced tech talent, much like India’s BPO success story. 

Kenya Launches National AI Strategy

Kenya has officially launched its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, outlining how the country plans to use AI to drive economic growth, improve services, and support innovation while staying grounded in ethics and inclusivity.

Spearheaded by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, in partnership with the University of Nairobi's Data Lab, the strategy focuses on:

• Building AI skills and talent

• Boosting local research and innovation

• Strengthening data governance

• Applying AI in key sectors like agriculture, health, and education

It emphasizes responsible development aligned with both global standards and local needs.

Why it matters

This marks a pivotal step in positioning Kenya as a leader in ethical, people-centered AI. By tying technology to national development priorities, Kenya is showing how emerging economies can chart their own path—driven by local talent, clear values, and real-world impact.

Around the world

OpenAI Unveils Next-Gen Models: o3 and o4 Mini

OpenAI has released two new frontier models, o3 and o4 mini, setting a fresh benchmark for AI performance. The o3 model is now seen as one of the top in the world, on par with Google’s Gemini 2.5 Pro.

What sets them apart? These models do more than generate text. They reason with tools. From web search to code execution and image analysis, they can actively use external capabilities as part of their thinking process. This marks the rise of a new class of intelligence: agentic models. AI that does not just assist, but acts with purpose.

Claude Now Connects to Gmail, Calendar & Docs – Meet "Research”

Anthropic is bringing serious workflow intelligence with new integrations in Claude.

• You can now connect Gmail, Google Calendar, and Docs.

• Its new feature, Research, taps into these sources (and the web) to gather, reason, and summarize.

• The feature is available for paid plans (Max, Team, and Enterprise) only.

Grok Is Growing Up – New Memory & Workspace Features

Grok Studio is gaining ground with new features that put it on par with ChatGPT and Claude:

• Create documents, run code, build mini web apps.

• Now with Memory and Google Workspace integrations for a more personalized, productive experience.

Upcoming African AI Events

AI Expo Africa 2025
Date: 29th October – 31st October 2025
Location: Cape Town, South Africa (Hybrid)
Highlights: Africa’s largest AI & 4IR trade show, 200+ speakers, startup pitches, and government policy discussions.
Link: AI Expo Africa

Deep Learning Indaba 2025
Date: 17 August – 22 August 2025
Location: Rwanda
Highlights: Premier AI research gathering in Africa, workshops, and networking with top ML researchers.
Link: Deep Learning Indaba

Africa AI Summit
Date: 17 – 18 October 2024
Location: Kigali, Rwanda
Highlights: Focus on AI policy, fintech, and healthcare innovations in Africa.
Link: Africa AI Summit

AI Job Opportunities

• Equal Experts Machine Learning Engineer

• Prospect 33   ML/AI Engineer

• Turing Remote  Python Developer

Use Case: AI-Powered Professional Headshots

Let’s face it. Everyone needs a clean, professional headshot, especially for platforms like LinkedIn. But not everyone has access to fancy cameras or studio sessions.

Welcome to AI headshot generators, where with just a few selfies, AI can transform your casual photos into polished, studio-quality headshots. Think clean backgrounds, better lighting, and a more confident you all without leaving your home and with just a few simple prompt as can be seen below.