AI could add $1T to African GDP; Microsoft to train 350k Nigerians in AI
Weekly News Digest...
Good morning, and welcome to this week’s issue of Africa AI News – Weekly News Digest.
A new AfDB report asserts that AI could become a major growth engine, adding up to $1 trillion to GDP and creating tens of millions of digital jobs! It’s a great aspiration, but the full context is that AfDB’s full activation scenario for reaching that $1T, depends on an unprecedented level of cooperation across the continent, rapid infrastructure build-out, and significant private capital mobilisation.
In another significant story, more than 350,000 Nigerians have now been trained by Microsoft under the AI National Skills Initiative. Scroll down for these stories and more!
In closing, this is your last 2025 issue of our Weekly News Digest! We’ll resume again on January 9th, 2026. Happy holidays and best wishes for the New Year!
/Roger
Nigeria, Microsoft train 350,000 in digital skills
#Nigeria #skills - The Nigerian government and Microsoft say more than 350,000 Nigerians have been trained under the AI National Skills Initiative. The programme builds on Microsoft’s $1 million investment and targets one million citizens, supporting workforce readiness for Nigeria’s fast-growing digital economy. (APA News)
Gambia partners Senegal on maths and AI hub
#Gambia #STEM - The Gambia has signed an MoU with the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences in Senegal to become a regional hub for advanced mathematics and artificial intelligence. The deal supports training, research collaboration, and plans for an AIMS satellite centre to build national and regional capacity. (The Point / allAfrica)
Libya launches first AI Youth Club in Bani Walid
#Libya #training - Libya has launched its first AI Youth Club in Bani Walid, offering training in artificial intelligence, data analysis, robotics and digital ethics. The initiative aims to empower young people and support the country’s transition towards a knowledge-based economy. (Libya Review)
Ain Shams University AI team wins national award
#Egypt #awards - Ain Shams University’s artificial intelligence student team has won best project honours at the Egyptian Women’s Summit. The achievement highlights growing AI talent and innovation capacity within Egypt’s public university sector. (Ain Shams University)
Economy
AI could add $1 trillion to Africa’s GDP by 2035: AfDB
#Africa #economy - Inclusive deployment of artificial intelligence could add up to $1 trillion to Africa’s GDP by 2035, according to an African Development Bank report. Under a “full activation” scenario, productivity gains would support 35–40 million digital-related jobs across key sectors. (Ecofin Pro)
Policy
Zimbabwe’s AI strategy backs home-grown development
#Zimbabwe #AIstrategy - Zimbabwe’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy has been welcomed by the Indigenous Advisory Practitioners Association of Zimbabwe as a bold move to shape local digital development. The policy emphasises mobilising domestic skills and capital to boost productivity, entrepreneurship and service delivery across key sectors. (NewsDay Zimbabwe)
Mozambique drafts national AI strategy with UNESCO
#Mozambique #AIstrategy - Mozambique’s National Institute of Information and Communication Technologies is preparing a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy with technical support from UNESCO. The initiative aims to embed ethics, human rights and inclusivity, while supporting digital government, SMEs, investment and the country’s wider digital transformation agenda. (360 Mozambique)
Egypt leads UN resolution on telecoms technologies
#Egypt #telecoms - Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology led adoption of a UN resolution at WTDC-25 on artificial intelligence technologies in telecommunication development. The measure tasks the ITU-D with providing technical assistance and capacity building for Member States, prioritising developing countries. (MCIT Egypt)
Startups
Morocco invests 1.3bn dirhams in startups by 2030
#Morocco #startups - Morocco has committed 1.3 billion dirhams under its Digital 2030 strategy to support 3,000 startups by 2030. Funding will back venture building, VC financing, Technopark expansion and responsible artificial intelligence, strengthening regional innovation hubs nationwide. (Hespress)
Hackathon
Ethiopia launches 5-day AI public service hackathon
#Ethiopia #innovation - The Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute has opened applications for a five-day AI Innovation for Public Service Hackathon under its Eth-Timbuktoo AI UniPod. The programme brings innovators and public sector professionals together to build citizen-centred digital solutions. Applications close on 20 December 2025. (Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute)
AI Adoption
Uganda procurement tribunal plans digital reforms
#Uganda #automation - The Uganda Public Procurement Application Tribunal plans to modernise operations by adopting artificial intelligence, automating case management, and accessing real-time government procurement data. Announced at a stakeholder engagement, the reforms aim to cut delays, close information gaps, and strengthen oversight of public spending. (NTV Uganda)
Zambia convenes executive briefing on AI adoption
#Zambia #adoption - Zambia’s Ministry of Technology and Science, working with consultancy Pranary, convened an executive briefing for 30 senior leaders to accelerate enterprise adoption of artificial intelligence. Minister Felix Chipota Mutati framed the technology as critical national infrastructure supporting digital transformation. (African Gambit)
[ This newsletter was both AI edited & human edited ]