Unis across Africa accelerate AI programmes, AI app reads hieroglyphics
Weekly News Digest ...
Good morning, and welcome to this week’s issue of Africa AI News – Weekly News Digest.
Again this week we are again education-tastic, with most of the major AI markets (Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Morocco) announcing free AI-led training, or new university programmes. While this is laudable, there needs to be a balance of foundational skills in electrical engineering and computer science, starting at a schools level, where programmes are a bit spotty.
At the same time, educators are grappling with how to incorporate AI into teaching, while pushing back on the use of AI as a shortcut to learning (see last week’s issue).
Either way, AI is going to shake up the labour market, with a number of studies showing that unless structural issues are addressed across developing countries, there will be jobs chaos.
On with this week’s issue!
/Roger
Policy
AI observatory maps Egypt’s skills gaps
#Egypt #policy #jobs — The Egyptian Center for Economic Studies has built an AI-powered labour market observatory analysing over 350,000 online job postings to address structural unemployment. The system reveals deep skills mismatches, geographic inequalities and risks from automation, offering policymakers and educators real-time insights for workforce planning. (ORF)
UAE, Malaysia, Rwanda grow AI fellowship pact
#Africa #policy — The UAE, Malaysia and Rwanda have expanded their AI Fellowship Programme to boost responsible innovation across the Global South. The initiative, under the World Economic Forum’s C4IR network, will focus on ethical governance, talent exchange, and sustainable development, building on the UAE-Rwanda partnership launched in Davos 2024. (iAfrica)
SA launches National AI Stakeholder Forum
#SouthAfrica #policy — The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) has launched a national forum to unite researchers, policymakers, industry, and civil society in building an ethical, inclusive AI ecosystem. Focus areas include youth, women and underrepresented communities. (iAfrica)
Uganda Law Society calls for AI rules in copyright bill
#Uganda #law – The Uganda Law Society has urged MPs to include AI regulatory provisions in the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Amendment Bill 2025, clarifying ownership of AI-generated works. The move aims to protect creators’ rights and modernise Uganda’s intellectual property framework. (Nile Post)
Applications
AI app translates ancient hieroglyphs in real time
#Egypt #applications — Egyptian startup Manetho has developed what it calls the world’s first AI-powered real-time hieroglyphic translator. Created by Ahmed El-Kholy and a team of 16, the app converts inscriptions into multiple languages and offers AR experiences. Backed by Huawei, it won the 2024 Huawei Developer Competition for Egypt and North Africa. iOS version here (note: spelled “Mannetho”), Play Store link does not work. (Xinhua)
Agadir plans MAD 5m AI citizen services platform
#Morocco #applications #government — Agadir is launching a Unified Intelligent Command Centre with an AI chatbot to manage citizen interactions across multiple channels. The MAD 5 million ($500k) project will centralise data, automate low-value tasks, and improve service quality and decision-making. (Morocco World News)
SA hospital adopts AI cancer planning tool
#SouthAfrica #applications — Universitas Academic Hospital in Bloemfontein has become the first site in Africa to integrate the AI-driven Radiation Planning Assistant, developed at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre. The platform streamlines radiotherapy planning, initially for cervical cancer, and is now being tested for other cancers to improve outcomes in high- and low-resource settings. (Engineering News)
Agadir plans MAD 5m AI citizen services platform
#Morocco #government – Agadir is launching a Unified Intelligent Command Centre with an AI chatbot to manage citizen interactions across multiple channels. The MAD 5 million ($500k) project will centralise data, automate low-value tasks, and improve service quality and decision-making. (Morocco World News)
Education
University of Pretoria tops SA AI research rankings
#SouthAfrica #education — The University of Pretoria has been ranked No. 1 in South Africa and No. 2 in Africa for AI research by EduRank, based on over 61,200 papers and 969,000 citations. The recognition comes as Prof Vukosi Marivate, Chair of Data Science in the CS department, secures major international funding to advance African-led AI in healthcare, agriculture, climate and language technology. (UP)
EduBot Nigeria brings AI learning in local languages
#Nigeria #education — A+ Computer Training Technology has launched EduBot Nigeria, an AI-powered chatbot delivering lessons in Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo and five Plateau State languages. Developed with Triangle Development Advisory and accredited by the National Board for Technical Education, it works offline to support women, youth and children in underserved communities. (Tech Africa News)
Cisco, Rabat university launch AI & cyber hub
#Morocco #education — The International University of Rabat and Cisco have partnered to open a local Cisco Incubation Centre, advancing AI and cybersecurity skills. The initiative, part of Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration programme, will link academia, industry and government, expanding ICT training via the Cisco Networking Academy. (North Africa Post)
Morocco to open data, AI excellence centre
#Morocco #CoEs #education — Morocco has signed a protocol to establish a data and AI excellence centre in Casablanca-Settat, uniting government ministries, AMDIE and French firm Onepoint. Part of the Morocco Digital 2030 strategy, it will recruit 500 local talents over four years to boost competitiveness, public service innovation and AI expertise. (Morocco World News)
Moringa to train 3,600 Kenyan youth in AI skills
#Kenya #skills — Tech skills academy Moringa has launched a free AI upskilling programme aiming to equip 3,600 young Kenyans with future-ready skills by December 2026. Backed by a $2 million Google grant and in partnership with South Africa’s WeThinkCode, the initiative is part of a plan to train 12,000 learners across Kenya and South Africa. (Moringa)
AfDB supports AI training for Agenda 2063
#Zambia #AI — The African Development Bank backed an AU-led AI training in Lusaka to help member states monitor and report on Agenda 2063’s Second Ten-Year Plan. The five-day workshop trained officials on AI tools for data analysis and policy-making. (Platform Africa)
Zambia drafts generative AI policy for education
#Zambia #AI — The Ministry of Education is developing a national policy to regulate generative AI use in higher education and TEVET institutions. A Mulungushi University workshop, coordinated with UNESCO ICHEI, focused on ethical use, academic integrity, and digital access. (ICUTVZM)
Law
Report examines copyright issues for AI-generated work in SA
#SouthAfrica #policy #law #copyright— Rapid AI advances raise questions over authorship and originality under South Africa’s Copyright Act. The report by law-firm Werksmans explores how AI-generated works may qualify for copyright if humans direct the creation process. (Werksmans)
Report gives Nigerian perspective on AI and intellectual property
#Nigeria #policy #law #copyright— With AI systems unable to hold legal capacity, questions arise over IP ownership. This analysis by Euro-African lawfirm Inventa examines whether IP rights over AI-generated works belong to programmers, highlighting implications for patents and copyright. (Inventa)
Media
Southern Africa broadcasters to discuss AI in media
#Zimbabwe #events #media — Harare will host the Broadcasters Convention – Southern Africa 2025, focusing on AI’s impact on media. Organised by ZBC with regional partners, the event will explore innovation, connectivity, and partnerships under the theme Content, Connectivity, Collaboration – Transforming Africa’s Broadcast Media Landscape in the AI Era. (iAfrica)
Funding
SA government invests $27m in AI and blockchain
#SouthAfrica #funding — Government has allocated R484 million ($27m) to research in AI, blockchain, and related tech under a 10-year plan to build public sector digital capabilities. The programme includes the Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research (CAIR). (MyBroadband)
[ This newsletter was human smurfed and AI re-smurfed ]