Altron's African AI Factory: UNESCO trains 20,000 judges, civil servants
Weekly News Digest ...
Good morning, and welcome to this week’s issue of Africa AI News – Weekly News Digest.
Africa’s first AI factory? A bold claim, since there have been a number of announcements of African AI factories already, with Uganda’s Aeonian Project and Cassava talking up a $720-million AI factory at its African Data Centres around the continent. And, of course, there’s the little-covered “Dell AI Factory” in SA (because it does what, exactly?).
The difference is that the Altron AI Factory is live, with data engineering and model training services available, and customers using it already.
To be clear, the Altron announcement was pretty big on thrilled hyperbole, light on details. Although about 720 times more restrained on the breathless hyperbole of the Cassava announcement. A key difference in this story when compared to others is that Altron is a tech services business. The AI factory is operated by its subsidiary, Altron Digital Business (ADB), a systems integrator, software development house and technology services company, rather than an infrastructure player or DC operator.
In our view, one needs to look at these kind of “AI factory” announcements through the lens of a “data engineering and AI value chain” — where to draw the line between an “AI-ready data centre” (er, sure, that’s a thing) and an “AI factory”.
AfricaAINews.com will bring a more in-depth analysis of this announcement as soon as we get answers to some questions we’ve posed, like “how much was sunk into this?”, “what features and services are available already?”, “is this GPU-rental with some lipstick on?” and “is AI-as-a-Service even better than Can-Do-attitude-as-a-Service”?
On with this week’s issue!
/Roger
Data Centres
Altron launches SA’s first operational AI factory
#SouthAfrica #datacentres #aifactory — Altron has unveiled South Africa’s first operational AI factory, offering enterprise-grade AI infrastructure, tools and services. GPUs from Nvidia, Asus hardware. Hosted at the Terraco data centre in Johannesburg, the platform supports five launch clients and ensures local data sovereignty, helping businesses deploy AI without offshore dependencies. (Moneyweb)
National Strategy
Zimbabwe approves National AI Strategy 2026–2030
#Zimbabwe #strategy – Zimbabwe’s Cabinet has approved the National AI Strategy 2026–2030, outlining plans to harness AI for economic growth while mitigating social risks. The framework supports responsible technology adoption under the country’s National ICT Policy, driving innovation and digital transformation across key sectors. (TechAfrica News)
DRC launches $1.5bn plan to build digital and AI economy
#DRC #economy – The Democratic Republic of Congo has launched its $1.5 billion National Digital Plan 2026–2030 and first National AI Strategy in Kinshasa. Backed by $500 million in international financing, the plan focuses on digital infrastructure, inclusion, and cybersecurity, aiming to make the DRC a regional tech hub by 2030. (Ecofin Agency)
Education
Google SA launches AI glossary in Zulu, Xhosa & Afrikaans
#SouthAfrica #language #inclusion — Google South Africa, in partnership with the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), has released an AI glossary translating 100 artificial intelligence terms into Zulu, Xhosa, and Afrikaans. The initiative promotes linguistic inclusion and accessibility in the country’s digital economy. (TechAfrica News)
Afretec awards $2.3 million to boost pan-African research
#Africa #funding #research — The African Engineering and Technology Network (Afretec), led by Carnegie Mellon University Africa, has awarded $2.3 million in multi-institutional research grants to drive digital growth and innovation. Projects include AI-powered tools for financial inclusion, environmental monitoring, and sustainable aquaculture. Since 2022, Afretec has distributed nearly $7.43 million in research funding. (University of the Witwatersrand)
Applications
AI fuels both hope and controversy in Egypt’s cinema
#Egypt #film — Artificial intelligence is transforming Egypt’s film and television industry, reducing production costs and enhancing visual effects, while stirring debate over authenticity. A recent TV series, Esh Esh, sparked controversy after reports of AI-assisted face compositing. The Ministry of Culture sees AI as central to reviving the sector through a new heritage restoration unit. (The New Arab)
Africell Angola launches AfriGPT, AI via SMS and USSD
#Angola #GenAI — Africell Angola has introduced AfriGPT, the country’s first artificial intelligence service accessible without internet connectivity. The platform offers homework assistance, practical tips and cultural or scientific insights through SMS and USSD. What’s not clear is how you verify the veracity of the chatbot results. (Africa News Agency)
Ethiopia rolls out AI X-ray system for TB screening
#Ethiopia #healthcare – Ethiopia has launched a national AI-powered digital X-ray system to accelerate tuberculosis screening, making it one of Africa’s first large-scale adopters of the technology. Developed with WHO Ethiopia, the rollout includes 225 machines nationwide and has already reduced diagnostic delays and expanded access to early detection. (Zawya)
Hubs, Labs & CoEs
PwC opens first MENA Digital Resilience Center in Morocco
#Morocco #cybersecurity — PwC has inaugurated its first MENA Digital Resilience Centre in Casablanca to strengthen cybersecurity, business continuity and fraud prevention across the region. The Centre supports Morocco’s national goal to train 100,000 digital specialists by 2030. (Morocco World News)
Algeria opens Sétif Skills Center for youth innovation
#Algeria #education #training — Algérie Télécom has partnered with the Directorate of Youth and Sports in Sétif to provide free AI and ICT training at its newly launched Skills Center. The facility offers workshops, collaborative spaces, and an AI lab to help youth and innovators develop projects. Similar centres are being rolled out in Annaba and Oran. (We Are Tech Africa)
UNESCO launches AI Initiative for Africa at G20
#Africa #policy #education — UNESCO has unveiled its AI Initiative for Africa at the G20, announcing plans to train 15,000 civil servants and 5,000 judges on AI governance and human rights. The Organisation will also support 2,000 students and teachers through coding programmes and create a pan-African incubator to help 1,500 researchers develop AI solutions. (UNESCO)
Conferences & Hackathons
Uganda to host GAIME 2025, Africa’s largest AI event
#Uganda #events #innovation — Kampala will host the GAIME Conference 2025 from 30–31 October, expected to attract over 5,000 delegates from 180 countries. Touted as Africa’s largest AI gathering, the event will unite innovators, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore how artificial intelligence is shaping the continent’s digital economy. (Nile Post)
Egypt launches AI for FinTech Hackathon under FinTech Egypt
#Egypt #hackathons — Central Bank of Egypt and Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology have launched the AI for FinTech Hackathon under the FinTech Egypt initiative. Targeting students in the Digital Egypt Builders Initiative, the event develops AI and analytics skills to address real banking challenges and nurture future FinTech leaders. (Central Bank of Egypt)
Ghana to host first AETF AI conference
#Ghana #events #education — Ghana will host the inaugural Africa Artificial Intelligence Conference from 5–6 November 2025 in Accra. Organised by the Africa Education Trust Fund, the event will convene ministers, researchers, investors, and youth leaders to explore how AI can drive innovation and sustainable development across sectors such as education, finance, and agriculture. (MyJoyOnline)
[ This newsletter was human chained and AI linked ]