Google has announced $2.25 million to support projects building trustworthy public data sets for AI to help national statistical offices modernize their infrastructure and empower decision-makers with the reliable data they need to address challenges from food security to economic growth.
The AI projects are being run by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and PARIS21
“For Africa to drive sustainable development, evidence-based policymaking is indispensable. This requires accessible, reliable, and AI-ready data,” said Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa. “This effort is a crucial step forward. By building a Regional Data Commons, we can empower African institutions with the data and tools they need to make strategic choices that will drive growth and prosperity.”
Building on its $7.5 million Google.org Skilling Fund, Google will fund organizations such as FATE Foundation and the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) and JA Africa and CyberSafe Foundation.
Apart from the fund, Google has also launched the AI Skilling Blueprint for Africa to help governments build a future-proof workforce and accelerate innovation and close the continent’s critical skills gap especially in Africa, where optimism for AI is at 95% in Nigeria and 76% in South Africa, however, 55% of firms across the continent report needing AI talent more than financing. Closing this skills gap is key to unlocking Africa’s opportunity.
“Africa’s AI moment is now, and Google is committed to being a partner for the long haul,” said Doron Avni, Google’s Vice President of Government Affairs & Public Policy. “The AI Skilling Blueprint provides a clear roadmap for governments to build the workforce of the future. By also investing in AI-ready data and expert local organisations and partners, we are helping build the interconnected ecosystem needed for a prosperous, AI-driven future for the continent.”
The AI Skilling Blueprint for Africa will provide governments with a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to formulate national skilling strategies. This will help AI Learners gain foundational AI literacy; AI Implementers, professionals upskilled to integrate AI tools into their work; and AI Innovators, deep technical experts dedicated to building the next generation of AI solutions.
“We are incredibly proud to partner with the African Institute of Management Sciences on the Advanced AI UpSkilling Project, with support from Google.org. This groundbreaking initiative is a direct response to the urgent need for deep AI competencies in Africa, empowering tertiary institutions, lecturers, and students in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa,” Adenike Adeyemi, Executive Director, FATE Foundation.