WeThinkCode Secures $2M Google Grant to Train 12,000 African Youths in AI

South African non-profit tech academy WeThinkCode has received a $2 million (R35.94 million) grant from Google to scale its artificial intelligence (AI) training initiatives across South Africa and Kenya. The landmark funding will support 12,000 learners from underserved backgrounds, preparing them to meet the rising global demand for digital and AI-driven skills.

This new partnership highlights Google’s ongoing commitment to investing in Africa’s digital future, and it positions WeThinkCode as one of the continent’s leading institutions in democratizing access to AI literacy and training.

Targeting the Next Generation of African AI Talent

Scheduled to commence in 2026, the initiative will run two distinct AI training tracks:

• “AI for Software Engineers”: Tailored for 6,000 early-career and aspiring developers, this program will focus on integrating AI-powered programming tools into real-world coding workflows.
  
• “AI for Non-Tech Careers”: Designed for 6,000 learners in fields like education, law, healthcare, and business administration, this stream aims to help professionals enhance productivity through AI applications in everyday tasks.
  

Each cohort will undergo between 40 to 80 hours of training, comprising hands-on projects, group collaboration, and mentorship, all tailored to the African market’s contextual needs.

To ensure the program’s inclusiveness and accessibility, WeThinkCode will enhance its learning management system to accommodate both in-person and remote learning, incorporating local language support across regions.

Closing Africa’s AI and Digital Skills Gap

Africa’s digital economy is projected to contribute between 5.2% and 8.5% of the continent’s GDP by 2050, according to the International Finance Corporation. However, a skills gap remains a pressing challenge. The African Development Bank estimates that 230 million jobs will require digital skills by 2030, highlighting the urgency for scalable training programs.

WeThinkCode is rising to that challenge. Since its establishment in 2015, the academy has focused on identifying disadvantaged but high-potential youth, training them in software development at no cost to the students. The average recruit either lacks access to university education or comes from financially underserved communities. Over 60% of students come from households earning less than R75,000 ($4,178) annually.

To date, the academy has trained over 1,000 individuals, with an impressive 87% job placement rate into South Africa’s top tech firms. With campuses in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, WeThinkCode is expanding its influence, integrating its curriculum into public TVET colleges, and growing a strong alumni network of skilled tech professionals.

Part of Google’s Long-Term Commitment to Africa

This $2 million grant forms part of Google’s broader $1 billion pledge—announced by CEO Sundar Pichai in 2021—to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation. Google’s investments span cloud infrastructure, AI research, and skills development. In early 2025, at the launch of its Johannesburg cloud region, Google’s EMEA President Tara Brady reiterated the company’s belief in the transformative power of AI for the continent.

WeThinkCode’s collaboration with Google builds on other notable African tech skilling efforts, including ALX and Decagon, as Africa’s youth population becomes the centerpiece of global tech talent pipelines.