Microsoft in $50-B Global South tech investment, Ethiopia opens AI UniPod tech creator-space
Weekly News Digest ...
Good morning, and welcome to this week’s issue of Africa AI News – Weekly News Digest.
This week’s big news is Microsoft committing $50-billion to developing countries to build out their tech infrastructure and AI readiness.
Or is it? We’ve all been on this carousel — US megacorporation announces monstrously huge investment deals. But what do they mean exactly? Hard cash? Marketing dollars? In-kind investments? Online training programmes?
There is a lot of detail in the Microsoft blog by top MS bod Brad Smith, including that MS is on track with $8-billion annual investments in data centres (in US? Global South? Everywhere?). There is also mention of a number of programmes that already exist, which will get an investment bump, like the Masakhane African Languages Hub we covered in previous issues of AfricaAINews.com. Some old connectivity projects that have been around ten or fifteen years get a nod, like Mawingu Networks in Kenya.
Taking off the cynical journalist hat and putting aside the “new tech colonialism” boogieman, this announcement is good news for tech in Africa … investment into connectivity, digital infrastructure and skills can only be a good thing.
On with this week’s issue!
/Roger
Policy
Microsoft to invest $50 billion to broaden AI access
#Africa #funding #policy—Microsoft has committed up to $50 billion by 2030 to expand access to AI in developing economies. The strategy, announced at the India AI Impact Summit, focuses on infrastructure, skills training, language inclusion, and support for local innovators, with efforts to connect 250 million people, including 100 million in Africa to Internet and cloud services. (Dawan Africa)
Italy, India, Kenya partner on Africa development
#Africa #policy #CoEs—Italy, India, and Kenya have launched a joint initiative to support artificial intelligence development across Africa, focusing on infrastructure, training, and research collaboration. The partnership aims to strengthen local capacity, support innovation ecosystems. (Agenzia Nova)
Mozambique looks to Kenya and Rwanda to digitise public services
#Mozambique #policy — Mozambique is drawing inspiration from Kenya and Rwanda as it accelerates efforts to digitise public services using AI and digital platforms. The new initiative aims to improve efficiency, transparency, and citizen access to government services. Officials see digital transformation as critical to modernising governance and supporting economic development. (Zawya)
Data Centres and CoEs
Ethiopia launches AI UniPod for homegrown innovation
#Ethiopia #CoEs #applications—Ethiopia has inaugurated its Artificial Intelligence University Innovation Pod (AI UniPod) in Addis Ababa as a platform to strengthen local AI research, innovation, and skills development. The initiative, led by the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute with partners including Addis Ababa University and the United Nations Development Programme, aims to transition the nation from technology consumer to creator. (TechAfrica News)
Malawi launches first micro data centre
#Malawi #datacentre #applications—Malawi’s digital infrastructure has been strengthened with the deployment of its first micro data centre by Converged Technology Networks. The system enables localised data processing, improving speed, efficiency, and reliability for digital services while supporting innovation and technology adoption across sectors. (ITWeb)
Applications
DR Congo signs AI mineral mapping deal with US firm
#DRCongo #applications —The Democratic Republic of Congo has signed a five‑year agreement with (somewhat shadowy) US investment company Atlas Park to apply AI technology to geological research and mineral mapping, aiming to improve exploration accuracy and inform investment decisions. The deal was formalised at the Mining Indaba in Cape Town and is expected to modernise the country’s mineral data infrastructure. (Africa Business Insider)
Education
Morocco ministries partner with AXA Group
#Morocco #skills - Morocco’s Ministries of Industry, Higher Education and Digital Transition have partnered with AXA Group to strengthen national capabilities in AI, cybersecurity and data science. The initiative supports the Morocco AI 2030 strategy and wider digital government ambitions. (Morocco World News)
AI cheating surge hits SA universities as UNISA warns of integrity crisis]
#SouthAfrica #education — South African universities are experiencing a surge in AI-enabled cheating, with UNISA warning of a growing crisis affecting student integrity. This was echoed by Universities South Africa, a club of the smaller institutions. AI tools are enabling students to generate assignments quickly, complicating efforts to verify originality. Universities are responding by strengthening academic policies and considering new assessment frameworks. (Eyewitness News)
Events
Dubai AI Week returns in April
#UAE #DubaiAIWeek2026 — Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence, overseen by Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), has announced the second edition of Dubai AI Week, to take place from 6-9 April 2026. The four-day event focuses on six core pillars: empowering societies, governing the future, accelerating infrastructure, sustaining the planet, expanding frontiers of knowledge and reimagining health. Last year it was attended by many of Africa’s AI leaders, including national pavilions from South African and Nigerian companies.
Egypt concludes first AI Everything MEA summit
#Egypt #events #applications—Egypt has wrapped up the inaugural AI Everything Middle East & Africa (MEA) Summit at the Egypt International Exhibition Centre, drawing over 100 global investors, policymakers, and entrepreneurs. The event showcased 350+ AI companies and featured new national digital tools including large language models and AI applications across education, healthcare, and public services. (Egypt Today)
[ This newsletter was human pro’d and AI con’d ]