African Union And Google Sign MoU To Accelerate AI Adoption Across Africa
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Signed at the AU headquarters under the banner “AI for Government: Strengthening Digital Public Infrastructure, Education, and Climate Resilience,” the agreement formalises cooperation between the AUC and Google within the framework of the AU’s Continental AI Strategy and its 2020–2030 Digital Transformation Strategy. H.E. Lerato D. Mataboge, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, signed on behalf of the Commission, underscoring the initiative’s alignment with broader infrastructure and innovation priorities.
At the heart of the partnership is an AI skilling programme aimed at equipping African public officials with advanced digital competencies. The training is intended to strengthen governance, inform evidence-based policy design and improve public service delivery, while promoting responsible and context-aware use of new technologies across government institutions.
The collaboration extends into the education sector, where Google will provide access to its Gemini AI tools to educators and learning institutions across AU member states. The tools are expected to support digital literacy, classroom innovation and AI readiness, with a strong emphasis on ethical deployment and safeguards tailored to African realities.
Beyond deploying existing tools, the MoU reflects Africa’s ambition to move from being a passive technology consumer to an active creator of AI-driven solutions. Projections cited at the signing suggest AI could add up to 1.5 trillion US dollars to Africa’s economy by 2030, strengthening the case for investments in skills, infrastructure and local innovation ecosystems.
Young African innovators took part in the ceremony, engaging with AU and Google representatives to highlight the importance of youth perspectives in AI rollout. Their involvement was presented as a symbol of the AU’s commitment to inclusive digital transformation that creates opportunities for younger generations.
Commissioner Mataboge stressed that the agreement should be seen as more than a technology deal, describing it as an investment in digital public infrastructure, talent development and governance frameworks needed for sustainable AI integration. Industry observers note that such partnerships between global tech firms and continental institutions are increasingly shaping Africa’s digital policy landscape, as governments seek to balance innovation, economic opportunity and regulatory oversight in the fast-evolving AI sector.
