Ghana signs $250M edu deal with Huawei, Nigeria mandates AI anti-money laundering
Weekly News Digest ...
Good morning, and welcome to this week’s issue of Africa AI News – Weekly News Digest.
This week’s news is education, education and more education. Ghana has leaned on Huawei for $250-million in education funding, and South Africa on Google for who knows how much. It should be a lot considering the scale of the project, and the fact that this deal provides the South African education ministry with a tonne of training and certifications, but also drops Google’s ChromeOS Flex (the one without secure boot, etc) and Google Workspace onto a bunch of old Windows computers. Extend old hardware, unseat Microsoft.
There is an interesting analysis by Launch Base Africa (Nigeria-based media company) of AI funding. Should be read with care as it covers startup funding in public domain, so the full picture may be well different. But the take-home is that five countries are attracting 95% of startup funding (i.e. brand new seed round) on our continent. The analysis below is worth a read, looking at the nature of the startups per country, which seem to be playing to their strengths: Egypt for language models, South Africa for infrastructural tech, Nigeria for application-specific foundational tech, Morocco, Tunisia have narrow vertical end-user application (such as marketing).
On with this week’s issue!
/Roger
Education
Ghana signs $250m AI training deal with Huawei
#Ghana #education #funding — Ghana has secured a $250 million agreement with Huawei to provide AI training for 3,000 girls in the government’s Girls in ICT Programme. Signed by Ghana’s Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, and Huawei regional president Steven Yi, the agreement covers a two-week residential training model currently includes modules in coding, animation, web development, cybersecurity, and basic computing, now with the addition of AI training. (Business Insider Africa)
South Africa, Google sign AI skills pact
#SouthAfrica #education — South Africa’s Department of Higher Education and Training has partnered with Google to expand AI and digital skills development, targetting students and educators. Google will provide training resources and certifications, including 5 000 Google Career Certificate scholarships in fields such as AI Essentials, Cybersecurity and Data Analytics. Burying the lede, the announcement also says it will deploy its lightweight, Google-apps oriented OS ChromeOS Flex to “revitalise existing hardware”. Financial terms were not disclosed. (SAnews)
Tanzania sends scholars abroad for AI studies
#Tanzania #education — Tanzania has sent 32 scholars to Ireland for advanced studies in data science and AI, under the Samia Extended Scholarship Programme (DS/AI+), which aims to build local expertise and strengthen national capacity. 18 of the current cohort are studying at the University of Johannesburg, with the fresh group on its way to the University of Limerick. (The Citizen)
Ghana rolls out national AI training programme
#Ghana #education — Ghana has launched a national AI training programme aimed the public sector. The initiative targets government employees, equipping them with skills to integrate AI into service delivery and policymaking. Training covers key AI concepts such as machine learning, neural networks and the broader AI development process, and the differences between predictive AI and generative AI, and on human oversight. (TechAfrica News)
Only 21% of Nigerian women have access AI tools
#Nigeria #policy — Only 21% of women in Nigeria have access to AI technologies, highlighting a significant gender gap in digital inclusion. Experts warn that limited access could widen socio-economic disparities. Calls are growing for targeted policies and programmes to improve accessibility and participation among women. (Daily Post)
Nigerian platform tackles study disruption with AI
#Nigeria #applications — Nigerian researcher Oluwasegun Odesola has developed an AI-powered examination platform, Eroidan, designed to address power and connectivity challenges for studying and remote exams. The system enables offline functionality and adaptive assessment, ensuring continuity during disruptions. (The Guardian Nigeria)
SA university group mandates AI in some assignments
#SouthAfrica #education — Stadio, a private South African higher education institution is requiring students to use AI tools in selected assignments, signalling a shift in academic policy. The initiative aims to teach responsible AI usage and prepare graduates for AI-integrated workplaces. Faculty will guide usage and assess outputs critically, reflecting growing institutional acceptance of AI as a core academic and professional competency. (MyBroadband)
Applications
Nigeria central bank adopts AI to fight money laundering
#Nigeria #applications — The Central Bank of Nigeria is mandating Nigerian financial services companies use automated tools to strengthen anti-money laundering and financial crime compliance. Financial institutions must deploy integrated AML systems for customer risk profiling, sanctions screening and suspicious transaction monitoring.(Daba Finance)
Côte d’Ivoire launches AI public service chatbot
#CotedIvoire #applications — Côte d’Ivoire has introduced an AI-powered chatbot, Emy 101, to improve public service access. The platform provides citizens with real-time information and assistance across government services via WhatsApp and Facebook messenger (not clear why Meta’s platforms only). (TechAfrica News)
AI-drafted complaints strain SA financial ombuds
#SouthAfrica #applications #slop — South Africa’s National Financial Ombud Scheme’s offices are facing a surge in AI-generated complaints with reams (100 pages!) of non-factual information and legal references, complicating dispute resolution processes. Regulators are exploring safeguards to manage automated submissions while maintaining consumer access to redress mechanisms in the financial services sector. (EWN)
Algeria taps AI to tackle water scarcity
#Algeria #applications — Algeria has launched a technology initiative leveraging AI to address water scarcity challenges. The programme will deploy data-driven tools to optimise water management, improve distribution efficiency and support climate resilience. Government officials highlight the role of digital innovation in securing sustainable water resources amid rising environmental pressures. (WeAreTech Africa)
Policy
Rwanda unveils digital infrastructure strategy
#Rwanda #policy — Rwanda has launched a digital public infrastructure strategy to underpin AI adoption and inclusive economic growth. The framework focuses on identity systems, data exchange platforms and digital payments to enable scalable services. Authorities say the initiative will strengthen public service delivery and position Rwanda as a regional hub for innovation-driven development. (iAfrica)
Morocco joins global AI IP initiative
#Morocco #policy — Morocco has joined WIPO’s Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Interchange (AIII) focused on integrating AI into intellectual property systems. The collaboration aims to modernise patent and copyright processes, improving efficiency and innovation protection. (Muslim Network TV)
Egypt issues responsible AI guidelines
#Egypt #policy — Egypt has published national guidelines for trustworthy and responsible AI, outlining ethical standards and governance principles. The framework addresses transparency, accountability and risk management, aiming to guide public and private sector adoption. (CADE Project)
Funding
Five countries dominate Africa AI startup funding
#Africa #funding — Five African countries captured roughly 90% of AI-related funding, underscoring a highly concentrated investment landscape (note: only disclosed funding, does not include investments in established businesses). The report highlights leading markets Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria, Tunisia and Morocco, driven by stronger ecosystems and infrastructure. The trend raises concerns about uneven development and access to AI opportunities across Africa. (Launch Base Africa)
MTN backs AI network start-up with Nvidia
#SouthAfrica #funding — MTN Group has joined a US$45-million funding round in ORAN Development Company (ODC), a US-based start-up building AI-native radio access network (RAN) technology. Nvidia, Cisco, Nokia, AT&T and Telecom Italia are also in on the deal. AI-RAN integrates AI processing and sensing capabilities within 5G base stations. ODC’s platform is built on Nvidia’s AI Aerial software stack (TechCentral)
FirstRand boosts Optasia stake in R1.5bn deal
#SouthAfrica #funding — SA banking giant FirstRand has increased its stake in AI-led fintech firm Optasia in an $87-million (R1.48 billion) deal, strengthening its position in data-driven financial services. Optasia leverages AI to deliver credit and analytics solutions. FirstRand holds 26.1% with the new 6% stake. Optasia listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in November 2025 and has opened offices in SA. (TechCentral)
Infrastructure and Data centres
Egypt plans $1 billion green hyperscale data centre
#Egypt #datacentres — Egypt is in talks with Renergy Group to develop a $1 billion hyperscale data centre in South Sinai, powered by a hydrogen facility producing up to 400,000 tonnes annually. The project targets European markets while leveraging renewable energy and seawater cooling. (Zawya)
Algeria launches 5G rollout with $492 million licences
#Algeria #5G — Algeria has awarded 5G licences worth $492 million to Mobilis, Djezzy and Ooredoo. Initial deployment spans eight provinces, with nationwide coverage required within six years to accelerate AI, IoT and cloud adoption. (Connecting Africa)
Competitions and Hackathons
Tunisia to host first African AI Olympiad in April
#Tunisia #education - Tunisia will host the inaugural African Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence in Sousse, gathering top secondary students across the continent. The competition aims to strengthen AI talent pipelines and position Tunisia as a regional hub for digital skills and science education. (Africa OAI)
Events
Morocco to host GITEX Africa 2026 in Marrakech
#Morocco #events — GITEX Africa 2026 will bring over 55,000 participants from 145 countries to Marrakech, spotlighting AI, fintech and digital infrastructure. The event underscores Morocco’s ambition to anchor Africa’s $200 billion digital economy and attract global technology investment. (The Startup Scene)
[ This newsletter was human sorted and AI filed ]