Africa Business

Microsoft and Zindi Collaborate to Enhance AI Skills Across Africa

Story Highlights
  • Zindi and Microsoft partner to train 10,000 young Africans in data and AI skills.
  • Training 150 trainer leaders will disseminate knowledge and skills across the continent.
  • Partnership aims to make AI and data science accessible to all.
  • Expected to yield enormous benefits, empowering African youth in the digital economy.

A groundbreaking partnership between Zindi and Microsoft is bringing new hope to the future of tech talents across Africa. This partnership aims to train 10,000 young people across the continent in data and AI skills, creating new work opportunities and connecting them with organizations in need of these critical skills.

The project will begin with the training of 150 trainer leaders from within the Zindi ambassador network, who will further disseminate knowledge and skills in their communities across the continent. This will have a ripple effect, empowering many more young people with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world.

At the MOU signing at GITEX Africa in Marrakech, Morocco, Co-founder and CEO of Zindi, Celina Lee, expressed her excitement about the impact the partnership will have on the transformation of technology on the African continent. She emphasized the practical learning opportunities this partnership will offer, including cloud computing and generative AI.

The Generative AI challenge, launching soon on Zindi, is a prime example of the cutting-edge yet practical AI skills the community will gain. Participants will use Generative AI to develop systems for Location Mention Recognition from microblogging posts during emergencies, a critical task that can support disaster relief efforts in real time and save lives.

Zindi’s vision is to make AI and data science accessible to everyone, believing in the transformative power of data and AI to drive economic growth and create opportunities for all. Microsoft, on the other hand, touted the partnership as a game-changer for Africa, considering the potential contributions of startups to Africa’s economy and increasing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

President of Microsoft Africa, Lillian Barnard, stressed the importance of creating entrepreneurship opportunities, accelerating the benefits of AI, and ensuring everyone benefits from this opportunity. She looks forward to seeing the results of this partnership, which will yield enormous benefits.

Launched in 2018, Zindi and Microsoft are like-minded partners committed to Africa and understand the global importance of equipping young people on the continent with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world.

Zindi is the leading professional network of data and AI practitioners in Africa, with a community of 70,000 developers, engineers, and scientists building their skills, growing their networks, and connecting with valuable career opportunities.

This partnership is a significant step towards empowering African youth with the skills needed to succeed in the digital economy. By working together, Zindi and Microsoft can make a meaningful impact on the continent’s economic growth and development.

The future of tech talents in Africa looks brighter than ever, thanks to this groundbreaking partnership between Zindi and Microsoft. As these young people get certified and connected with organizations in need of their skills, they will drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth across the continent.

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