Hi Ayodele here,

Momentum around AI in Africa continues to grow, and this week’s developments show how the continent is moving from ambition to execution. In South Africa, Microsoft is scaling up AI and digital skills training with a commitment to reach one million people. Nigeria is streamlining business registration with an AI-powered portal that completes the process in just 30 minutes. Meanwhile, Cassava Technologies is expanding access to critical infrastructure by offering high-performance computing tools to thousands of AI professionals.

This edition highlights how practical investments in people, systems, and infrastructure are actively shaping Africa’s AI future.

Let us get into it. In/ this edition:

• Microsoft to train 1 million South Africans in AI and digital skills by 2026

• Nigeria’s CAC launches AI portal for 30-minute business registration

• Cassava Technologies to offer GPU-as-a-Service to 3,000+ African AI professionals

Around Africa

Microsoft to train 1 million South Africans in AI and digital skills by 2026

Microsoft has launched a targeted AI and digital skills initiative in South Africa, aiming to train 1 million people in South Africa by 2026. At the AI Skilling Day event on June 25 in Midrand, Microsoft’s AI Skills Director, Tiara Pathon, reaffirmed this commitment. The program offers online courses, certification, and access to the AI Skills Navigator platform covering areas like cybersecurity, cloud computing, and software development while partnering with Youth Employment Services to award 50,000 certifications.

With over 2,000 attendees at its AI Skilling Day, Microsoft also committed R1.3 billion to support 200 SMEs and 2,000 individuals, alongside a R5.4 billion investment in African cloud infrastructure

Why This Matters
This initiative builds critical AI capacity in two key African markets. By combining training, certifications, and infrastructure investment, Microsoft is helping to ensure the region’s workforce is equipped to lead in the global AI economy.

Nigeria’s CAC launches AI portal for 30-minute business registration

Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has introduced an AI-driven registration portal that can complete business incorporations including name reservation, documentation checks, and verification within just 30 minutes.

Entrepreneurs now only need to provide a director’s National ID (NIN or BVN), and the system reserves names, verifies documents, and issues a certificate via email, dramatically reducing waiting times .

Why It Matters:

This portal removes a longtime barrier for startups and SMEs by streamlining formal registration and easing access to banking, financing, and government support. With fewer than 10 % of Nigeria’s 40 million MSMEs formally registered, this initiative could empower thousands to enter the formal economy if complemented by broader regulatory reforms.

Cassava Technologies to offer GPU-as-a-Service to 3,000+ African AI professionals

Cassava Technologies signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the South African Artificial Intelligence Association (SAAIA) to provide GPU-as-a-service (GPUaaS) access to more than 3,000 AI professionals, including entrepreneurs, researchers, and developers across Africa.

This infrastructure will enable scalable AI development, testing, and deployment on the continent. The partnership also includes joint initiatives around ethical AI, innovation enablement, and capacity-building, reinforcing Cassava’s aim to build Africa’s first AI factory

Why This Matters

Africa’s AI ecosystem has faced a major bottleneck in access to high-performance computing. By unlocking GPU resources and fostering collaboration, this initiative empowers local innovators to build advanced, locally relevant AI solutions more quickly and competitively. This partnership represents a major step toward building an independent, responsible, and sustainable AI infrastructure in Africa.

Other Developments

MTN Launches ₦100M Africa Startup Accelerator
MTN Nigeria has unveiled the “From Africa, for Africa” accelerator, offering ₦100 million in grants and full access to MTN's tech stack for growth-stage startups. The 12-week program supports sectors including fintech, agritech, healthtech, edtech, AI, e-commerce, and cybersecurity, with both virtual workshops and in-person sessions in Lagos. Participants receive mentorship, go-to-market support, VC introductions, and Demo Day exposure. The initiative aims to help founders scale solutions addressing real African challenges and build long-term partnerships with MTN.

Intron Unveils AI Models for African Voices
Intron launched three AI models suited for African accents: Sahara‑Optimus for speech recognition, Sahara‑TTS with 80+ voices across 40+ accents, and Sahara Voice‑Lock for voice authentication. Initially focused on healthcare, the startup is expanding into courts, call centers, and content creation using its voice tech. Future releases include Sahara‑Titan and Sahara‑Primus, targeting multilingual support for 20 African languages

Around the world

Gemini “Gems” Arrive in Google Workspace Apps

Google now features Gemini “Gems” in apps like Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, and Gmail. These AI-powered side panels let users run tasks like code writing, exam prep, sales drafts, and more without leaving the app. Custom Gems can be tailored online or via the panel using user-uploaded documents. The rollout began on July 2, 2025, and will expand to all Workspace users over the coming weeks.

Google Expands Veo 3 Video Generation Worldwide

 Google has launched its Veo 3 video generation model globally for paying AI Pro subscribers in 159+ countries. Users can generate text-prompted, 8-second videos with synchronized audio, including dialogue, sound effects, and music. Google CEO Demis Hassabis hinted that Veo 3 might evolve into playable world models for use in interactive scenarios like gaming.

Around the Web - Top Picks

• AI-Driven Hiring Predictions Take Off

  Corporate America's leaders are increasingly predicting significant job displacement due to AI, making it a competitive topic. CEOs from companies like Anthropic, JPMorgan, Amazon, and Ford have warned that AI could eliminate a large percentage of jobs, from entry-level to white-collar, indicating that major workforce restructuring is imminent.
  Read the full article: AI job predictions become corporate America’s newest competitive sport

• Quick Guide to ChatGPT
  TechCrunch offers a simple breakdown of ChatGPT, OpenAI's popular AI chatbot. The article covers how it works, key features, use cases, and recent updates. It is a handy intro for anyone new to ChatGPT or looking to stay current with its evolving capabilities.

  Read the full article: Everything to know about ChatGPT

• The Future of AI with Sam Altman
  In this video, Sam Altman shares how OpenAI began, how far AI has come, and where it is heading. He talks about the shift from simple AI tasks to powerful language models, the rise of AI agents, and how startups can thrive in this new era. Altman also shares hiring insights and his excitement about AI’s role in science.

  Watch the full interview: Sam Altman on the Future of AI

Seen This?

Our prompt history can say a lot about who we are. It might be surprising, but the data we generate online can reveal more than we realize. Lately, many users have been asking ChatGPT to analyze their prompt history, and the insights have been both eye-opening and fascinating. You should try it too.

Upcoming African AI Events

Deep Learning IndabaX Nigeria 2025
Date: 16 July – 17 July 2025
Location: Nigeria
Highlights: A local chapter of the Deep Learning Indaba. Premier AI research gathering in Africa, workshops, and networking with top ML researchers.
Link: Deep Learning IndabaX

AI Empowered
Date: 7 August – 8 August 2025
Location: Capetown, South Africa
Highlights: It features 40+ speakers and expects ~3,000 attendees. The focus is on practical AI adoption in business and the future of work, offering hands-on demos and discussions for non-technical leaders to engage with AI opportunities.
Link: AI Powered

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

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.

• Dangote Group  – Change Manager - AI & Digitization Initiatives, Nigeria, Onsite

• Dangote Group  – Project Manager - AI & Digitization Initiatives, Nigeria, Onsite

• Awarri – Senior AI Engineer, Remote

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.