The initiative was officially launched on May 14, 2026. It is designed to provide training, technical tools, and other support to enable young innovators to build AI-powered applications capable of solving real-world problems.
AISCA has set ambitious targets, including supporting 25,000 projects, 10,000 researchers, and equipping 1.5 million people with AI-related skills. The programme also aims to help create up to one million jobs by 2036.
The Chairperson of the AISCA Board, Dr Agnes Kalibata, said Africa must begin developing technologies that respond to its own challenges rather than relying on imported solutions that often fail to address local needs.
“Africa needs to start creating technology that responds to African problems instead of continuing to use technology that was not designed for the challenges we face. For example, if I develop a tool that uses Kinyarwanda, a mother in a rural area will be able to use it because it is a language she already knows and uses,” she said.
Esther Kunda, Director General for Innovation and Emerging Technologies at the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, said that while promoting access to technology is important, equal attention must be given to ensuring that it is used meaningfully and for solving real problems.
“It is good that we want more people to use and create this technology, but we must also think about the users. Is it needed? What problem does it solve? We must avoid investing in things just because they are trending, but rather focus on what benefits citizens,” she said.
Ridwan Oloyede, Director of Policy and External Affairs at AISCA, said Africa is making progress in technological development but must also take ownership of the systems it uses.
“We are the ones who should decide who builds our technology, who uses it, and who benefits from it. That is how Africa will stand strong in this global digital era,” he said.
The President and Group CEO of Cassava Technologies, Hardy Pemhiwa, stressed the importance of ensuring that African youth move beyond being users of AI and become creators of the technology.
He noted that this shift is essential for ensuring that artificial intelligence contributes to sustainable development across the continent.
AISCA will prioritize projects focused on empowering women and young people. The initiative is supported by partners including; Cassava Technologies, African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, DC Labs and other organisations.
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