Meta is partnering with African AI accelerator This Is Digital to launch an AI academy in Kenya, targeting students, developers, startups, small businesses and professionals as demand for artificial intelligence skills grows across the country.
The Meta AI Academy Kenya will combine developer training, startup acceleration and an eight-week masterclass covering AI fundamentals, prompt engineering, research, document processing, reporting, communication and productivity, according to a press release.
The program will also feature an AI Pitchathon on Oct. 15, where Kenyan startups and developers building solutions with Meta’s AI technologies will pitch their products for a chance to receive equity-free funding and an invitation to pitch at Meta’s AI Summit in Istanbul in November.
Applications for the Pitchathon close Sept. 30, while applications for the AI Masterclass close Oct. 31. The masterclass begins Nov. 3.
“The next wave of AI innovation in Kenya will come from local builders solving local problems,” Mercy Ndegwa, Meta’s public policy director for East Africa, said in the release. She said the partnership is intended to put practical training and Meta’s open models in the hands of Kenyan developers, students and small-business owners.
This Is Digital, founded on International AI Appreciation Day in 2025, says it has trained more than 800 AI Champions across more than 10 countries. The company provides AI consultancy, workforce training and masterclasses.
Gregory Wanjama, CEO of This Is Digital, said the partnership would expand the organization’s efforts to equip African professionals, startups and students with practical AI skills.
The academy comes as Kenya positions itself as a technology hub in Africa, with startups, businesses and government agencies increasingly exploring generative AI and automation to improve productivity and develop new digital services.
Grace Murugi, chief AI and digital strategist at This Is Digital, said the academy will focus on making AI concepts accessible while emphasizing ethical and responsible use. Applications for both programs are open through the academy’s registration platform.