Google.org has awarded a $1 million grant to the African Technology Forum (ATF) to scale its flagship ATF AI Challenge and strengthen Africa’s artificial intelligence talent pipeline. The funding will support training programmes in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa over the next two years, targeting over 10,000 university students and young professionals.
ATF, a 37-year-old organisation focused on promoting African science, technology and innovation, announced the grant in a statement. The institution said the initiative would help address the growing AI skills gap across the continent by offering what it described as a structured “classroom-to-career” pathway for young innovators.
According to ATF, the expanded programme will follow a three-stage model. The first stage is a free virtual AI school where participants learn foundational and advanced skills in artificial intelligence. The second stage is a competitive, team-based AI challenge where selected participants work together to build solutions for real-world problems. The final stage will feature demo days where the best teams present their innovations to potential employers, industry leaders and investors.
Co-founder of ATF, Mawuli Tse, said the organisation aims to build a more inclusive technology ecosystem that opens opportunities for African youth. He explained that the funding from Google.org will help ATF move thousands of young people from basic learning to meaningful employment.
“Africa’s greatest resource is its human talent. This funding from Google.org allows us to build the pipeline that will ensure this generation doesn’t just consume AI but builds it,” Tse said. He added that the programme will give participants the tools they need to create AI-driven solutions for challenges affecting their communities.
Tse also noted that the initiative will prepare participants for real jobs in the evolving global tech market. “We are guiding 10,000 young innovators on a complete journey: mastering foundational AI skills, building tangible solutions to Africa’s challenges, and connecting directly with their future employers. This is about creating jobs and seeding the next wave of African innovation,” he added.
ATF, founded in 1988 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), said the programme expansion follows successful pilot phases in Ghana and Nigeria. During those pilots, participants produced 14 AI solutions with potential use in hospitals, public institutions and various industries. With the new funding, ATF plans to prioritise solutions in key sectors such as health, agriculture, education and finance.
Head of Google.org, Liza Ateh, said the support reflects Google’s goal of strengthening local talent and promoting a fair technology ecosystem across the continent. She described the ATF initiative as a practical step toward broadening Africa’s AI capacity and helping young people gain hands-on experience.
“We are proud to support the African Technology Forum’s visionary approach to building a diverse and equitable AI ecosystem,” Ateh said. She noted that the programme will equip innovators with real-world AI skills and help them build solutions tailored to local needs. Ateh added that the initiative will connect participants with career and funding opportunities that can accelerate their growth in the technology industry.
ATF said it is currently seeking partnerships with universities, tech hubs and corporate organisations that are willing to contribute to the programme’s expansion. The organisation encouraged higher institutions and industry players to join the effort in providing mentorship, project support and internship opportunities.
The first cohort of the ATF AI School is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2026. Students and young professionals from the four participating countries will be able to register when the application portal opens.
The expanded programme is expected to strengthen Africa’s presence in global artificial intelligence innovation and help position the continent as a contributor to cutting-edge technologies, rather than solely a consumer. Industry observers say the grant marks another step toward building a more competitive, inclusive and future-ready digital workforce in Africa.
