Renowned AI educator and public relations (PR) technology expert, Dr. Celestine Achi, has launched two free artificial intelligence (AI) tools aimed at accelerating digital transformation in Africa’s media and communications landscape.

The tools—AI Readiness Assessment Tool and AI Maturity Assessment Framework—were unveiled during a virtual launch event attended by industry leaders, journalists, and tech professionals across the continent.

Speaking at the launch, Achi said the initiative is part of a broader effort to democratise access to AI for African organisations, particularly in the PR, media, and communication sectors.

“AI shouldn’t be a privilege for the West. It must be a catalyst for transformation in Africa, starting with those who shape public narratives,” Achi said.

The tools are available online and were developed under Achi’s proprietary TABS-D AI Implementation Framework. They are designed to help African professionals and institutions evaluate and scale their AI capabilities, regardless of their current level of digital maturity.

The AI Readiness Assessment Tool allows users to measure their current AI adoption status across four key areas: strategy, skills, systems, and culture.

It then generates a personalised report with practical recommendations—no technical background required.

The AI Maturity Assessment Framework complements this by offering a roadmap that guides organisations through five stages of AI development: Nascent, Aware, Engaged, Strategic, and Transformational. The framework provides benchmarks and actionable insights for long-term AI growth and integration.

Achi noted that the tools were designed with Africa’s unique challenges in mind, including limited infrastructure, skills shortages, and capacity gaps.

“PR and media professionals are the architects of trust. They deserve the right tools to thrive in this intelligent era. With this framework, they can now measure, learn, and lead AI transformation regardless of their current digital maturity,” he said.

Already, several professional bodies and media institutions across Africa have adopted the tools. They form a central part of Achi’s larger project—the AI-Powered PR Ecosystem—which includes an AI-powered PR playbook, gamified PR simulations, certification programs, and interactive community platforms.

The launch is being seen by analysts as a strategic and timely intervention. As global industries rapidly integrate AI, African media and communication sectors are under increasing pressure to modernise and remain competitive.

Achi, founder of Cihan Digital Academy and author of AI-Powered PR: The Essential Guide for Communications Leaders to Master Artificial Intelligence, has been at the forefront of promoting digital innovation within Africa’s PR and media ecosystems.

He expressed hope that the tools would spark greater AI adoption across the continent: “We don’t want African professionals to be passive recipients of global innovation. We want them to be builders, innovators, and leaders in shaping Africa’s digital future.”

The tools are now live and accessible to media professionals, communicators, and institutions at no cost.