L-R, Doron Avni, Google’s VP and Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa
Google has unveiled the AI Skilling Blueprint for Africa, a policy framework to help governments build an AI-ready workforce and address the continent’s critical skills gap.
The initiative targets three cohorts: AI Learners, AI Implementers, and AI Innovators, providing step-by-step guidance for national skilling strategies.
The launch coincides with research showing high optimism for AI in Africa, 95% in Nigeria and 76% in South Africa, yet 55% of firms cite a shortage of AI talent as a significant barrier.
In support of the blueprint, Google committed $2.25 million to develop trustworthy AI-ready public data sets through the UN Economic Commission for Africa, UN DESA, and PARIS21.
The funding will help modernise national statistical offices and improve evidence-based policymaking.
Google also announced support for local skilling organisations through its $7.5 million Google.org Skilling Fund. Recipients include FATE Foundation and the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, embedding AI curricula in universities, and JA Africa and CyberSafe Foundation, advancing digital literacy and online safety programmes.
Doron Avni, Google’s VP of Government Affairs, said the blueprint “builds the interconnected ecosystem needed for a prosperous, AI-driven future” for Africa, emphasising long-term investment in workforce development, data infrastructure and local partnerships.
