Google.org has awarded $2 million to South African computer academy WeThinkCode to deliver AI training to 12,000 students across South Africa and Kenya.
The free program aims to equip young people with essential artificial intelligence skills, preparing them for both technical and non-technical careers in a rapidly evolving digital job market.
Thanks to this donation, WeThinkCode will significantly expand its AI training programmes in South Africa and Kenya.
AI training to be conducted for technical and non-technical careers
A free extracurricular course lasting 40 to 80 hours will be offered by the programme with the goal of preparing participants for both technical and non-technical careers.
The training will be conducted in two different parts:
AI for software developers: This track provides foundational AI-powered programming tools and workflows to 6,000 aspiring and early-career programmers.
AI for non-tech careers: 6,000 students and junior staff members from various industries, including law, education, and health, will be trained to incorporate AI into their everyday administrative duties, greatly increasing their employability, productivity, and efficiency.
Digital skills gap in Africa
The programme coincides with a notable digital skills gap in Africa.
According to a recent SAP analysis, 90 per cent of African businesses lack AI expertise, which leads to project delays, failed innovations, and an inability to take on new projects.
Closing Africa’s digital skills gap
Google.org stated that this commitment is helping WeThinkCode to close the current digital skills gap in Africa and provide the groundwork for future economic growth powered by AI expertise.
Employer showcases and outco, me measures will ensure the programme’s influence on market acceptance and job readiness as it continues through 2026.
WeThinkCode, which will lead the initiative to foster skills, has long been committed to closing this gap by educating jobless youngsters from low-income families to become software engineers who are ready for the workforce.
The school gives people who have historically been under-represented in the field access to tech education through its tuition-free, aptitude-based training methodology.
It stated that this new effort guarantees that African youth remain at the forefront of this digital transformation, as AI is ready to revolutionise sectors worldwide.
Nyari Samushonga, CEO of WeThinkCode, said, “AI is redefining the future of work, and without intervention, Africa risks being left behind. This programme ensures that young people, regardless of their socio-economic background, have the skills to participate in and shape the digital economy in meaningful and relevant ways into the future.”
Aims of the project
The project aims to promote the broader adoption of AI throughout the continent by focusing on people from low-income households as well as those living in peri-urban and rural areas. Both sides say it is dedicated to inclusivity.
With local language adaptations, WeThinkCode will improve its Learning Management System to provide in-person and remote training, guaranteeing successful delivery and widespread accessibility.
The two added that the programme will also use its current collaborations with businesses in the financial services, telecom, and tech consulting sectors to highlight participants’ recently acquired AI skills and greatly enhance their employment prospects.
“AI is a transformative technology, and it’s critical that the benefits are accessible to all,” said Haviva Kohl, senior programme manager at Google.org. “By providing funding to WeThinkCode_, we are helping to create opportunities for African youth to develop AI skills that will make them more competitive in the job market and drive inclusive innovation across the continent.”