South Africa and Kenya have been named priority countries in Microsoft’s global AI skilling initiative, as the tech giant ramps up efforts to close the digital skills gap across the continent.
Speaking at Microsoft South Africa’s first , held on at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, , Microsoft’s AI Skills Director, reaffirmed the company’s goal to train through a comprehensive suite of AI-focused education tools and programmes.
The initiative includes:
Microsoft has already invested in expanding hyperscale cloud and AI infrastructure in South Africa to support the digital economy.
In his keynote, , Chief Director of Citizen Empowerment at the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, emphasized the urgency of reskilling in response to rising tech-sector demand and high youth unemployment.
“Digital transformation is everyone’s business,” he said. “We must bridge the skills gap through meaningful collaboration between government, industry, and educational institutions.”
YES CEO Ravi Naidoo highlighted the growing divide between nations that innovate and those that merely consume advanced technology. “South Africa has the talent—and the responsibility—to lead Africa in AI adoption,” he said. “This is about equipping youth not just to use AI, but to shape its future.”
The AI Skilling Day brought together over 2,000 attendees, including learners, industry leaders, government officials, and partners committed to building an AI-ready, inclusive workforce that can drive South Africa’s digital transformation forward.
