Hi Ayodele here,

Africa’s AI ambitions are gaining ground, and recent developments show just how big the vision is becoming. From a billion-dollar UAE-Ghana partnership to a major investment from the Gates Foundation in Nigeria, the focus is shifting from plans and national strategies to implementation.

A recent PwC Nigeria report also reinforces the urgency, outlining the significant AI opportunity.

This edition explores how countries like Ghana and Nigeria are taking bold steps to position themselves as leaders in AI development, backed by global partnerships and guided by national strategies.

Let us get into it. In this edition:

• Ghana and UAE sign $1bn deal to build Africa’s largest AI and tech hub

• Bill Gates backs Nigeria’s AI push with $7.5 million investment

• PwC outlines steps to fast-track AI adoption in Nigeria

Around Africa

Ghana and UAE sign $1bn deal to build Africa’s largest AI and tech hub

A bold new partnership is emerging between the UAE and Ghana, set to reshape Africa’s innovation map with a $1 billion investment in Ghana's digital future.

The partnership focuses on three main areas that'll completely reshape Ghana's digital landscape. First, they're building serious AI infrastructure, including a solar-powered AI hub with liquid cooling technology , plus an AI identity system and a startup studio designed to attract hundreds of AI companies over the next few years.

The partnership focuses on three main areas that'll completely reshape Ghana's digital landscape. First, they're building serious AI infrastructure, including a solar-powered AI hub with liquid cooling technology , plus an AI identity system and a startup studio designed to attract hundreds of AI companies over the next few years.

Then there's the digital infrastructure piece, they're rolling out 5G networks across major cities, constructing a massive hyperscale data center, and setting up renewable energy grids with satellite internet to reach rural areas. It's basically building the digital backbone that Ghana needs to compete globally.

The innovation ecosystem gets attention too, with plans for a Ghana-UAE tech campus, a dedicated startup fund to support local entrepreneurs, and an annual tech summit that'll put Ghana on the global tech map.

Why This Matters
This investment positions Ghana as a leading digital hub in West Africa, with a strong focus on AI. It highlights a growing trend of strategic partnerships between Middle Eastern nations and African countries, accelerating digital transformation. The multi-faceted approach, covering infrastructure, AI compute, startup incubation, and ecosystem development, creates a comprehensive framework for sustainable growth and innovation, setting a precedent for other nations seeking similar large-scale digital development.

Bill Gates backs Nigeria’s AI push with $7.5 million investment

In a landmark development for Nigeria's technological future, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, announced the signing of an agreement to establish the Nigerian AI Scaling Hub. This ambitious initiative is backed by up to $7.5 million in funding and expertise from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

The announcement followed a productive meeting between Dr. Tijani, Bill Gates, and the Gates Foundation team, where discussions were focused on two critical pillars for Nigeria's future: connectivity and artificial intelligence. According to the minister, the AI Scaling Hub aims to accelerate the application of AI in crucial sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and education, directly impacting the lives of everyday Nigerians.

Why It Matters:

This collaboration signifies a powerful vote of confidence in Nigeria's potential to not only adopt but also shape AI solutions for local challenges. The substantial funding and strategic support from the Gates Foundation will provide a significant boost to Nigeria's AI ecosystem, fostering innovation and driving tangible improvements in vital sectors, potentially serving as a model for other African nations.

PwC outlines steps to fast-track AI adoption in Nigeria

PwC Nigeria's report, Artificial Intelligence in Nigeria, highlights how AI can support national growth when integrated with a clear strategy. While interest is growing, challenges such as infrastructure gaps, limited data, and weak regulation still slow progress.

Globally, AI is expected to contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the economy by 2030. Nigeria could capture a substantial share if it takes deliberate action.

Here are the report’s top five recommendations:

• Encourage Digitisation Across Sectors
  Building robust datasets begins with digitising records and operations in education, healthcare, business, and government. Introducing digital-first practices—such as requiring students to submit digitised projects—can create a pipeline of real-world data that fuels AI innovation.

• Partner with Professional Bodies for Public Awareness
  Collaborations with organisations like ICAN and NMA can help raise AI awareness among professionals. Through sector-specific training, workshops, and seminars, such partnerships can address fears about job displacement and promote a practical understanding of AI’s value.

• Offer Free AI Courses Online
  To democratise AI education, PwC recommends that the government sponsor free AI training on online learning platforms. This would broaden access to AI skills across all income levels and build a more inclusive, future-ready workforce.

• Integrate AI into School Curricula
  Teaching AI literacy in primary and secondary schools can prepare students early. This includes practical skills like prompt engineering, AI tool use, and critical thinking about technology—essential for participation in the future economy.

• Promote AI Adoption Within Government
  Government must not only regulate but also model AI use. By applying AI in public service delivery and training civil servants, the government can demonstrate AI’s real-world benefits and make informed policy decisions.

Around the world

OpenAI Expands ChatGPT's Enterprise Features and Cloud Connectivity

OpenAI is significantly upgrading ChatGPT to make it a more powerful tool for businesses. They've made it much easier to connect ChatGPT with popular cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, SharePoint, and OneDrive. This means you can now use your existing documents and information directly within ChatGPT without needing to upload them manually. Plus, a new "record mode" on macOS lets you record meetings and voice memos, automatically turning them into summaries, key insights, and action items.

Reddit Sues Anthropic

Reddit has initiated legal proceedings against Anthropic, alleging that the artificial intelligence company unlawfully harvested data from its platform to develop AI systems without obtaining proper authorization or providing compensation. The social media platform contends that Anthropic's automated systems accessed its servers more than 100,000 times despite the AI firm's claims of having restricted such access, and that attempts to establish a licensing arrangement similar to existing partnerships with OpenAI and Google were unsuccessful when Anthropic refused to participate.

Around the Web - Top Picks

• Is AI Coming for White-Collar Jobs?

  As AI continues to evolve, it is starting to automate tasks traditionally done by professionals in finance, law, marketing, and tech. Axios breaks down how tools from companies like Anthropic are accelerating this shift and what it could mean for the future of office work. The piece also highlights the growing need for upskilling and adapting to an AI-driven economy.

  Read the full article: AI's Impact on White-Collar Work

• Africa’s First AI Factory: A Major Step Forward

  Africa is set to launch its first AI factory, a move that could mark a turning point for the continent's digital future. Located in Djibouti, the facility aims to boost local AI development, data sovereignty, and talent creation. As detailed by Fanatical Futurist, the factory will focus on building AI infrastructure tailored for African needs, with potential to reduce reliance on foreign platforms and unlock new economic opportunities.

  Read the full article: Africa’s First AI Factory

• Confused by AI Terms? This Guide Has You Covered
  From LLMs and hallucinations to fine-tuning and agents, AI jargon can get overwhelming. TechCrunch has put together a beginner-friendly glossary that breaks down the most common AI terms in plain language. Whether you are a newcomer or brushing up, it is a great resource to help you keep up with the fast-moving AI world.
  Read the full article: A Simple Guide to Common AI Terms

Seen This?

A deepfake scam awareness video has gone viral on Reddit in just a few days. Users are alarmed by how convincing deepfakes have become, with many noting that distinguishing real from fake might soon be nearly impossible.

Upcoming African AI Events

AI Summit: South Africa 2025 5th IFLA Artificial Intelligence Symposium 2025
Date: June 16–20, 2025
Location: Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Theme: Exploring the impact of artificial intelligence on libraries, information management, and knowledge dissemination
Link: IFLA Artificial Intelligence

Africa Technology Expo
Dates: June 21, 2025
Location: Landmark Centre, Lagos
Theme: The Africa Technology Expo (ATE) is where Africa’s tech and business leaders gather with one clear goal: to make deals happen. It’s a space where enterprises, operators, and industry giants converge to showcase innovations, build partnerships, and deliver results.
Link: Africa Technology Expo

DSN AI Bootcamp 2025
Dates: Ongoing (Pre-learning phase)
Location: Nigeria (residential Bootcamp location to be announced)
Theme: Africa’s top 200 AI talents will undergo intensive training, mentorship, and networking in a fully-funded, career-transforming experience.
Link: DSN AI Bootcamp 2025

AI Job Opportunities

• Black in AI - AI’s Emerging Leaders In AI Grad Prep Program.

• Microsoft  – Product Management Intern (AI for Good Research Lab), Kenya

• Space International  – Machine Learning Engineer

• Nao Medical – Junior Engineer, Generative AI, Nigeria

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