• South African academy WeThinkCode receives R35 million ($2 million) from Google.org
• The program targets 12,000 youth in South Africa and Kenya, focusing on underserved groups
• Training aims to close the digital skills gap in AI and support inclusive tech growth

WeThinkCode, a South African tech academy, has secured a R35 million (about $2 million) grant from Google.org to expand its AI training program. The initiative will train 12,000 young people in South Africa and Kenya, with priority given to individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The program delivers 40 to 80 hours of free professional training focused on practical skills, group projects, and mentorship. It emphasizes real-world AI applications tailored to the African context. WeThinkCode trains youth who do not hold university degrees and may lack access to formal education pathways. Since 2018, the academy has trained over 1,000 individuals, with 87% placed in tech roles.

Africa’s digital economy is expected to represent between 5.2% and 8.5% of the continent’s GDP by 2050, according to the International Finance Corporation. However, it faces a significant skills deficit. The African Development Bank estimates that 230 million jobs will require digital skills by 2030. Programs like WeThinkCode aim to build a new generation of professionals to meet these demands and reduce inequality in the digital sector.

The program’s success will depend on its long-term sustainability, relevance to local needs, and involvement of industry partners. Other regional initiatives, such as Decagon in Nigeria and ALX in East Africa, pursue similar goals. Strengthening public-private partnerships, expanding training access, and setting clear impact metrics will be key to scaling these efforts.