Google.org Invests $5.8M in AI and Cybersecurity Skilling Across Sub-Saharan Africa

Matt Brittin, President of Google Europe, Middle East, and Africa, has announced  a further $5.8 million commitment by Google.org to support AI skilling and education across Sub-Saharan Africa.

The funding will support the equipping of workers and students with foundational AI and cybersecurity skills and the support of nonprofit leaders and the public sector with foundational AI skills.

Recipients of the funding include the Data Scientists Network Foundation, who will be provided with a $1.5 million grant to create a program that trains unemployed and at risk Nigerians in digital and tech training — with the long-term goal of building advanced skills in data and AI. As part of the program, Raspberry Pi Foundation will work with Young Scientists Kenya and Data Scientists Network Foundation to roll out AI literacy education for Kenyan and Nigerian youth.

This new funding builds on the $20 million of Google.org support for organizations helping Africans develop digital skills from Google’s economic opportunity initiative. In addition, Grow with Google, which is separate from Google.org, trained over 6.5 million people across Africa in 2023 alone in digital skills to help them build their career or business.