UAE in $95m tech fund for Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria builds huge multi-language LLM
Weekly News Digest ...
Good morning, and welcome to this week’s issue of Africa AI News – Weekly News Digest.
This week’s is pretty culture-tastic, with pop superstar will.i.am working with the ITU and Google on AI and robotics training for African youth (not a headline you’d expect to see), indigenous leaders from around the world meeting in Namibia to work together to protect their cultures, traditions and traditional knowledge from AI, and using AI, and Nigeria building a massive LLM that encompasses a host of local languages and dialects to keep them on the inside of the expanding AI bubble,
If you enjoy this news digest, please pass it on to others, send us any stories you’d like to see featured, and connect us with any organisation that can support our work through sponsorship - reaching 850 subscribers and 8,5000 views over last quarter. Contact Roger through LinkedIn to chat.
On with this week’s issue!
/Roger
Funding
UAE pledges $95m for Côte d’Ivoire digital push
#CôtedIvoire #funding #datacentre — Côte d’Ivoire has secured a $95 million commitment from the United Arab Emirates to boost its digital transformation. The funds will support a modular data centre, sovereign cloud, an AI-focused centre of excellence and upgrades to the government’s SIGFAE system. The deal, due for signing in October, aims to enhance public service efficiency and digital sovereignty. (We Are Tech Africa)
Google picks Nigeria’s Infinity Health Africa for AI GovTech
#Nigeria #applications #funding — Infinity Health Africa has been chosen for Google’s inaugural Growth Academy: AI for GovTech accelerator. The startup’s ONBOARD platform automates product registration, licensing and compliance for healthcare firms across Africa. It joins 24 others from EMEA and Turkey in the three-month programme, which supports AI startups improving public services. Fellow Nigerian company E-GovConnect was also selected. (TechCabal)
MazaoHub secures $2M to scale AI-driven climate-smart farming
#Tanzania #funding #agriculture — Tanzanian agri-tech startup MazaoHub has raised $2M (equity and non-dilutive capital) to expand its AI-powered soil intelligence tools and Farmer Excellence Centres. The company’s solutions help farmers cut fertilizer use, boost yields and embrace sustainable practices. (Empower Africa)
Policy
One-third of South Africans unaware of AI, survey shows
#SouthAfrica #policy #education — A national survey of over 3,000 South Africans found that 37% had never heard of AI, while another 36% knew little about it. Conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and the Global Center on AI Governance, the research highlights deep digital divides and limited trust in institutions. The findings stress the need for inclusive AI literacy and people-centred policy. (The Conversation)
AI challenges drive employability gains in Kenya
#Kenya #education #policy — Zindi, the data science network, in partnership with Dalberg Data Insights and others, has released a report at the UN General Assembly showing that active engagement in AI challenges boosts Kenyan youth careers. Over 80% of users with complete profiles advanced professionally, compared to 3% with incomplete ones. The study urges policymakers to integrate practice-based learning into national AI strategies. (AfricaNews)
Namibia explores blockchain & AI for financial inclusion
#Namibia #fintech #inclusion — Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah says the Bank of Namibia is conducting a digital infrastructure gap analysis to shape a national strategy for financial inclusion. With access rising to 78% of adults (from 51% a decade ago), the government is now looking to blockchain, AI and mobile platforms to close remaining gaps. (The Brief)
Education
Google, ITU and will.i.am bring AI training to Africa
#Africa #education #applications — Google, the International Telecommunication Union and will.i.am’s i.am Angel Foundation have launched a programme to train African students in AI and robotics. Starting in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, the initiative targets 10–18 year-olds, emphasising underserved groups. Google.org will provide $1m and expertise, while ITU offers support through its AI Skills Coalition. (iAfrica)
Global Indigenous leaders meet in Namibia to safeguard culture & ecology
#Namibia #IndigenousKnowledge #education — Traditional leaders from across Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Canada gathered at N/a’an ku sê Lodge for the Indigenous Peoples’ Knowledge Fair Ecology Custodianship Day. Hosted by Namibia’s University of Science and Technology (NUST) and UNESCO partners, the event highlighted how traditional wisdom and digital tools, including AI, can preserve heritage and guide sustainable futures. Elders cautioned that technology must amplify authentic voices, not replace them. (Unesco)
Hubs, Labs and CoEs
Algeria unveils NIIF-backed digital tech hub
#Algeria #CoEs - Algeria’s National Investment Fund has launched a new technology hub in Algiers to drive the country’s digital transformation. Backed by local telecom and IT firms, the hub will focus on modernising state institutions and accelerating financial sector digitalisation. (Telecom Review Africa)
Nigeria launches Africa’s largest multilingual AI model
#Nigeria #LLMs #CoEs — At the UN General Assembly, Nigeria unveiled N-ATLAS, Africa’s largest multilingual and multimodal open-source language model. Developed by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy with frontier tech firm Awarri, the project digitises Nigeria’s linguistic heritage. N-ATLAS is open for global use, enabling developers to build inclusive AI applications reflecting African diversity. (BusinessDay Nigeria)
Events
AI to headline Afreximbank compliance forum in Kigali
#Rwanda #events #policy — Afreximbank, in partnership with the National Bank of Rwanda, will host the 2025 Compliance Forum in Kigali from 12–14 November. Under the theme “Better Compliance – Better Trade”, the event will explore how AI can strengthen anti-money laundering systems, streamline due diligence and improve transparency in cross-border trade. (Afreximbank)
[ This newsletter was human cooked and AI cured ]