WeThinkCode Secures Google Grant to Train 12,000 in AI

South African coding academy WeThinkCode has secured a $2 million grant from Google.org to train 12,000 people in South Africa and Kenya in artificial intelligence (AI) skills by 2026. But beyond the numbers lies a strategic move that signals where the continent’s digital workforce might be headed—and how it could get there without a traditional degree.

With Africa facing a deep digital skills gap, especially in fast-evolving fields like AI, this initiative stands out for its focus on inclusivity and practicality. Unlike university-led programs that often exclude large swaths of the population due to cost or prerequisites, WeThinkCode’s training is tuition-free, designed to target unemployed youth from low-income communities, and accessible in both urban and rural areas.

Why This Matters Now

While AI adoption accelerates globally, the risk of Africa being left behind is real—both in terms of infrastructure and talent. WeThinkCode’s model offers a workaround: build a ready pool of talent by betting on aptitude over credentials, and on access over exclusivity. This aligns with a growing trend: skills-first hiring.

Google.org’s funding supports two parallel streams of training—one for aspiring and junior software engineers, and another for professionals in non-tech sectors like law, education, and healthcare. The idea? AI isn’t just for coders. It’s about enhancing productivity across industries.

The Bigger Play

This isn’t just corporate social responsibility. For Google, the grant is a long-term investment in Africa’s digital ecosystem—a move that could eventually drive usage of its own AI tools and platforms across new markets. For WeThinkCode, it’s an opportunity to demonstrate that alternative education models can fuel both employability and innovation.

With Africa’s median age under 20 and formal education systems stretched thin, this kind of intervention could be more than a stopgap. It might just become the blueprint.