NAIROBI, Kenya, May 30 – South Africa-based data science and artificial intelligence (AI) platform Zindi has entered into a partnership with tech firm Microsoft to advance AI upskilling across the African continent.
This groundbreaking collaboration, announced at the ongoing GITEX Africa summit in Marrakech, Morocco, will guide a new generation of tech-savvy young Africans towards skills for the future of work.
As automation and AI keep transforming industries across the globe, Africa, the world’s youngest continent, needs the latest AI skills to ensure it adapts and thrives in this evolving job market.
Speaking at the event, Lillian Barnard, President for Microsoft Africa, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership, stating that the company’s goal is to ensure that AI is developed and used in ways that benefit all Africans.
“Bridging the digital skills gap in Africa is vital to the future success of that endeavour. By partnering with Zindi, we aim to revolutionise AI skills on the continent, providing cutting-edge AI training and certifications to thousands of developers and future data engineers, preparing the future workers of the world,” Barnard said.
The partnership will focus on upskilling AI developers across the continent, promoting Microsoft Learn certifications and learning paths through practical learning.
By developing AI expertise, young people can position themselves for exciting career opportunities in areas like AI development, data analysis, and machine learning.
Africa faces unique challenges in areas like agriculture, healthcare, and infrastructure. Zindi and Microsoft hope that AI skills will empower young Africans to develop innovative solutions specifically designed to address these challenges.
“We believe in the transformative power of data and AI to drive economic growth and create opportunities for all Africans,” said Celina Lee, co-founder and CEO of Zindi.
“By joining forces with Microsoft, we can help them scale their efforts to democratise access to digital skills, and ensure that individuals across the continent are equipped to succeed in the rapidly transforming modern workplace.”
Through engaging training initiatives, the collaboration aims to reach universities, nonprofits, and corporations, getting young people across the continent ready to apply AI skills and technologies wherever they work.
A strong foundation in AI allows young Africans to conceptualize and build AI-powered startups that tackle local issues and contribute to the continent’s development.
This alliance between the two firms represents a significant milestone in the digital education landscape of Africa, paving the way for a digitally upskilled and empowered Africa, driving sustainable economic growth and reducing bias in AI applications.
