Hi Ayodele here,

Across Africa, AI is becoming part of everyday systems. Governments, startups, and institutions are moving from interest to action. Kenya is launching a nationwide training program for public servants. Meta is backing grassroots innovation through a multi-country accelerator. Tanzania is laying the groundwork for ethical AI development with a UNESCO-aligned readiness assessment.

This edition explores how different players are helping shape a more informed, inclusive, and intentional AI future for the continent.

Let us get into it. In this edition:

• Meta launches AI accelerator for startups in four African countries

• Kenya launches AI training for public servants

• Tanzania leads with UNESCO-aligned AI readiness assessment

Around Africa

Kenya launches AI training for public servants

In a move to modernize its public sector, the Kenyan government has announced the launch of a comprehensive Artificial Intelligence training program for public servants, scheduled to begin in July 2025. This nationwide initiative represents one of Africa's most ambitious efforts to integrate AI capabilities across government operations.

The program is a collaborative effort between the State Department for Public Service, the State Department for ICT & Digital Economy, and the Kenya School of Government (KSG).  The training will encompass diverse areas including Procurement, HR, Administrative Services, Communications, and Finance, with specialized modules tailored for different organizational levels. The program will be delivered through KSG's eLearning platform and its newly established Regional Centre of Competence in Digital and AI Skilling.

Why This Matters
This initiative positions Kenya as a continental leader in government AI adoption, potentially setting a precedent for public sector digital transformation across Africa. By systematically upskilling government workers in AI technologies, Kenya is building the foundation for more efficient public services and data-driven governance. The program aligns with Kenya's broader ambition to become a regional AI hub and could significantly accelerate the country's digital economy transformation while improving citizen services through technology-enhanced government operations.

Meta launches AI accelerator for startups in four African countries

Meta has unveiled its Llama Impact Accelerator program across Sub-Saharan Africa, bringing equity-free funding and mentorship directly to local startups building AI solutions for their communities. The initiative will run tailored six-week accelerators in Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal, and South Africa, focusing on critical areas like healthcare, agriculture, education, and financial inclusion.

Each program offers participating startups comprehensive support including technical training, hands-on mentorship, business advisory services, and connections to local policy networks. The accelerators will culminate in Demo Days where teams present their Llama-powered prototypes to panels of experts and policymakers, with winning teams receiving extended six-month support for scaling their solutions. Applications are open until 27th June, 2025.

Why It Matters:

This represents one of the largest corporate commitments to African AI talent development, addressing a critical gap in locally-relevant AI solutions. By providing equity-free support and focusing on open-source innovation, Meta is empowering African developers to build AI tools that truly serve their communities' needs. The government partnerships also signal growing recognition of AI's strategic importance across the continent, potentially accelerating policy frameworks that support homegrown innovation rather than just technology adoption.

Tanzania leads with UNESCO-aligned AI readiness assessment

Tanzania has emerged as a continental leader by completing its first National AI Readiness Assessment in alignment with UNESCO's Ethics of AI framework. This comprehensive assessment, conducted through extensive stakeholder consultations across government, academia, civil society, and private sector, analyzes Tanzania's digital infrastructure, data governance capabilities, and institutional readiness for ethical AI adoption.

Key Insights

• Strategic Foundation for National AI Policy: The assessment provides actionable recommendations that will directly inform Tanzania's upcoming National AI Strategy, ensuring it prioritizes ethics, inclusion, and sustainable development goals from the ground up.

• Multi-Stakeholder Approach Works: The broad consultation process involving government, academia, civil society, and private sector demonstrates the importance of inclusive dialogue in developing responsible AI governance frameworks that reflect diverse societal needs.

• Continental Leadership Opportunity: Tanzania's completion of this UNESCO-aligned assessment positions it as a regional leader in responsible AI development.

• Human-Centered AI Focus: The report emphasizes alignment with human rights, transparency, and equality principles, ensuring that Tanzania's AI development prioritizes societal well-being over pure technological advancement.

Why This Matters

Tanzania's AI readiness assessment sets a powerful example for Africa by prioritizing ethics, inclusion, and human rights in AI development. It lays a strategic foundation for responsible innovation and positions the country as a leader in shaping ethical AI policy across the continent.

Other Developments

Ghana to use AI for real-time forest monitoring against illegal mining 
Ghana's Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Murtala Mohammed, has announced plans to use Artificial Intelligence to monitor the country's forest areas in real-time as part of efforts to combat illegal mining (galamsey). The AI monitoring system aims to provide constant surveillance and immediate alerts to security forces, addressing the challenge of illegal miners returning to cleared areas or relocating to new sites.

Ethiopian leader pushes for ethical, homegrown AI across Africa 
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has urged African nations to develop indigenous artificial intelligence solutions rather than relying on Western-developed AI tools that rarely address the continent's unique challenges. Speaking at the Ethiopian Technology Expo, Ahmed emphasized that "Africa must not be a passive recipient of AI tools developed elsewhere" and called for AI development anchored in ethical frameworks, inclusion, and sustainability.

Around the world

Apple unveils new AI features at WWDC 2025

At WWDC 2025, Apple unveiled new AI features including Visual Intelligence, AI-powered image generation, real-time translation, and a Workout Buddy. These tools, exclusive to newer devices, are part of a broader redesign and integration push across iOS 26 and macOS. Siri’s full AI upgrade is delayed to 2026, while a new framework enables developers to build on-device AI apps.

Meta Launches AI-Powered Video Editing

Meta has launched a new generative AI video editing feature across its Meta AI app, Meta.AI website, and Edits app. This feature allows users to easily transform their short-form videos using over 50 preset AI prompts to change outfits, locations, and styles. Designed for user-friendliness, it enables high-quality video edits for anyone, with plans to introduce custom text prompts for editing in the future.

Around the Web - Top Picks

• Worried About AI and Job Loss in Africa? This Explainer Breaks It Down

  From warehouse work to white-collar roles, AI is reshaping the job market. But is it all doom and gloom? Tech Safari offers a thoughtful breakdown of how AI is really impacting employment, where the biggest risks lie, and what roles are most likely to evolve or disappear. This piece cuts through the noise and provides a clear-eyed perspective on AI’s real workforce impact.

  Read the full article: Will AI Kill All the Jobs in Africa?

• AI's Global Economic Upside Could Hit $6.6 Trillion

  Karin Kimbrough, Chief Economist at LinkedIn, explores how artificial intelligence is transforming global productivity and labor markets. Based on new research, she notes that AI could unlock up to $6.6 trillion in economic value by boosting human potential, especially through improved tools and smarter workflows. Rather than replacing jobs outright, AI is expected to reshape roles and augment decision-making, with early signs already visible across industries.

  Read the full article: AI and the Global Economy: A $6.6 Trillion Opportunity

Seen This?

Veo 3 is generating very realistic videos, and the results are impressive. One major feature is its ability to create videos of Africans speaking with authentic African-accented English. Since most models struggle with this, it is a significant breakthrough.

Upcoming African AI Events

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

IndabaX Nigeria 2025
Date: July 17-19, 2025
Location: University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria
Theme: Theme: Deep Learning and AI Advancements (Focuses on research and practical applications of deep learning and AI)
Link: Deeplearningindaba

Africa AI Conference 2025
Date: August 25–28, 2025
Location: JW Marriott Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya
Theme: Where Innovation, Ethics, and Opportunity Converge
Link: AfricaAIConference

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.

• LLama impact Accelerator  – AI funding and Mentorship

• Work Mosadi Solutions  – Lead AI Engineer, Cape Town

• Pnet – AI Engineer - Contract, Cape Town

• Buyer Growth  – ML Engineer, Nigeria

Use Case: Generate High-Quality Videos with Google’s Veo 3

This week's AI tool highlight is Google's Veo 3, a powerful video generation model that allows you to create detailed videos with audio from text prompts. It emphasizes the importance of well-crafted prompts to achieve desired visual and auditory results, including character consistency, specific camera motions, and background sounds.

consistency, specific camera motions, and background sounds.

Veo 3 is designed to help users generate engaging video content, offering tips on avoiding common pitfalls like incorrect subtitles and suggesting external tools for upscaling and reformatting videos for different platforms.

Learn how to use here