The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and Google are deepening their collaboration to help unlock the promise of digital transformation in the African continent.
Together, they are rolling out a series of training programs aimed at equipping young Africans and government officials with practical skills in critical emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, robotics, and cloud computing.
The goal is simple: empower more Africans with the tools to make data-driven decisions, shape future-ready policies, and drive inclusive, sustainable growth across the continent.
This collaboration builds on a shared commitment to digital capacity building in Africa. Initiatives like the World Robot Olympiad Africa, which reached nearly 9,000 students across 14 countries, and demonstrated the power of hands-on learning to inspire innovation. Now, ECA and Google are extending that impact by focusing on digital skills training for policymakers and government leaders.
One of the flagship offerings under this effort is the “AI Sprinters” course, titled Capturing the Economic Opportunity of AI in Emerging Markets. Government officials including members of parliament and key ministries will receive foundational knowledge on AI and cloud technologies, and explore how to apply them to improve public services and policy outcomes. The training will also provide frameworks for assessing AI readiness, developing responsible AI policies, and championing digital innovation within government.
“AI Sprinters” is designed to address the real-world barriers that limit AI and cloud adoption in many African countries, including infrastructure gaps, lack of regulatory clarity, and skills shortages. The program offers concrete, actionable tools to bridge these divides and build momentum for inclusive digital development. This approach ensures that a wide range of individuals from senior policymakers to technical implementers gain the expertise needed to responsibly deploy AI and cloud solutions for Africa’s future.