The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), with support from Google and the I Am Angel Foundation, is rolling out an artificial intelligence and robotics education programme aimed at equipping more than 20,000 African students with practical technology skills.
The initiative, known as the AI and Robotics Youth Training Programme, targets young people aged 10 to 18 and seeks to strengthen access to digital education in five countries: Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Côte d’Ivoire.
The programme also aims to train 1,000 teachers, enabling them to introduce AI and robotics learning in their schools. Each participating country is expected to train approximately 200 teachers.
Rather than focusing solely on classroom theory, the initiative combines teacher training, school-based AI clubs and national robotics challenges. Students will have opportunities to learn coding, explore robotics, experiment with AI tools and develop projects that address practical problems.
Teachers will receive curriculum materials, technical training and support to establish AI clubs where students can learn through hands-on activities. The programme also includes robotics kits and national showcases where participants can present their projects.
The initiative builds on Giga, a joint ITU and UNICEF programme that works with governments to connect schools to the internet. By linking connectivity with digital learning, the partners aim to help more young people access technology education, particularly in underserved communities.
The programme also seeks to address inequalities in access to emerging technologies, including barriers faced by girls and students in communities with limited digital infrastructure.
Google.org is supporting the initiative with US$1 million in funding and AI expertise, while the participating countries are working with national authorities to align implementation with their education priorities.
Students who excel in national robotics competitions will have an opportunity to progress to the final stage of the Robotics for Good Youth Challenge at the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva.
The partners hope the pilot will provide a model for expanding AI and robotics education to more schools and countries across Africa.
