Google and AfCFTA launch free AI training to help african SMEs compete in digital trade

A new joint programme from Google and the AfCFTA Secretariat will train 7,500 small businesses in AI and digital commerce. The initiative aims to strengthen cross-border trade by equipping entrepreneurs with practical, technology-driven skills.

Gori Yahaya, CEO of UpSkill Universe.

Google and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat have unveiled a new digital capacity-building initiative aimed at boosting the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises across the continent. Through the AfCFTA Inclusion & Entrepreneurship Programme, 7,500 African SMEs will receive free training in artificial intelligence and digital trade.

The programme is powered by the Google Hustle Academy and focuses on helping entrepreneurs adopt AI-enabled tools and business practices tailored to local needs. The effort expands on Google’s previous work through the academy, which has already supported more than 18,000 small businesses in Africa since 2022.

According to AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene, the initiative supports the organisation’s broader digital transformation agenda, including commitments outlined in its Protocol on Digital Trade and the Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade. “This programme reinforces our mission to expand digital participation and empower MSMEs to take full advantage of the AfCFTA through technology,” he said.

Google’s regional director for Government Affairs and Public Policy in Sub-Saharan Africa, Charles Murito, noted that strengthening digital skills is essential for building a modern and competitive trade ecosystem. “By prioritising areas such as AI, e-commerce, and cross-border trade, we are helping create the foundations for a more dynamic and digitally connected Africa,” he said.

The training will be delivered as a one-day bootcamp available in English, French, Arabic, and Portuguese. Participants will work through three core modules covering cross-border digital trade, cloud tools for small businesses, and AI for productivity.

Delivery of the programme will be led by UpSkill Universe, a digital learning provider. CEO Gori Yahaya highlighted the need for practical, actionable training for Africa’s entrepreneurs. “Business owners are already driving innovation, but they’re navigating rapid changes—from the rise of AI to shifting consumer expectations. This collaboration gives them the tools to grow and compete,” he said.

The programme is open to SMEs operating for at least six months in selected AfCFTA member states, including Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Senegal, Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and others. Training will begin in November 2025 and run across 25 cohorts until June 2026. Applications are now open.