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Burkina Faso Partners with National Broadcaster to Use AI for Inclusive Communication and Linguistic Accessibility
Technology

Burkina Faso Partners with National Broadcaster to Use AI for Inclusive Communication and Linguistic Accessibility

The Ministry of Digital Transition, Posts and Electronic Communications of Burkina Faso has signed a landmark agreement with Radio and Television of Burkina (RTB) to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into the country’s public communication systems. The partnership, formalized on October 21, 2025, by Minister Dr. Aminata Zerbo/Sabane and RTB Director General Atéridar Galip Some, marks a significant milestone in Burkina Faso’s drive to make information more inclusive, accessible, and linguistically diverse. Harnessing AI for Inclusive Communication The collaboration is part of a broader national AI integration strategy that aims to modernize public service delivery and strengthen digital inclusion. By embedding AI in broadcasting and communication, the Ministry and RTB seek to expand information access to citizens regardless of language, literacy level, or location. A key feature of the partnership is an AI-powered translation tool developed by the Interdisciplinary Center for Artificial Intelligence for Development (CITADEL) at the Virtual University of Burkina. Demonstrated during the signing event, the system can translate Mooré into French and vice versa, enabling RTB to broadcast content in multiple local languages — a critical step toward linguistic inclusion and technological sovereignty. “AI must serve the people,” said Minister Zerbo/Sabane. “Through this initiative, we are ensuring that every Burkinabè citizen can access vital information in a language they understand.” Strengthening National Identity Through AI RTB plans to expand AI’s use in content creation and production, including Burkinabe animations, documentaries, and educational programming. The broadcaster aims to leverage AI tools to streamline workflows, improve accessibility for persons with disabilities, and produce content that celebrates Burkina Faso’s cultural and linguistic diversity. Director General Some emphasized that the partnership will allow RTB to “deliver public information that is both technologically advanced and culturally resonant.” Part of a National AI Strategy The initiative falls under Burkina Faso’s three-pronged national AI agenda, which includes: Developing a national AI integration roadmap,Launching awareness and capacity-building programs — including a National AI Conference set for October 28, 2025, andImplementing pilot AI projects across strategic sectors such as health, meteorology, security, and information dissemination. Earlier this year, the Ministry signed a similar AI collaboration with the National Meteorological Agency (ANAM) to improve climate forecasting and early warning systems. Together, these initiatives demonstrate Burkina Faso’s growing commitment to leveraging AI for sustainable development and governance innovation. Toward Digital and Cultural Empowerment By combining digital transformation with cultural preservation, the Ministry’s approach ensures that AI becomes a tool for empowerment, not exclusion. The partnership with RTB exemplifies how AI can bridge linguistic divides, enhance public service broadcasting, and foster national unity through shared information access. As Burkina Faso accelerates its adoption of AI, it joins a growing number of African nations using technology to build inclusive, knowledge-driven societies that reflect their unique cultural and linguistic identities. “Burkina Faso is not just consuming technology,” said Minister Zerbo/Sabane. “We are shaping it — to reflect who we are and to serve our people better.”

Kenya’s AI Skilling Initiative Sets Benchmark for Africa’s Digital Workforce Development
Technology

Kenya’s AI Skilling Initiative Sets Benchmark for Africa’s Digital Workforce Development

Kenya’s AI Skilling Initiative (AINSI) is emerging as a model for African nations seeking to build the skills and talent base needed to participate in the continent’s fast-growing digital economy. With AI projected to create up to 230 million digital jobs across Africa by 2030, the initiative underscores how coordinated national leadership can translate ambition into measurable impact. Government Leadership at the Core At the heart of AINSI’s success is Kenya’s Regional Centre of Competence for Digital and AI Skilling, which has already trained thousands of public servants through structured bootcamps and online programs. These training efforts equip policymakers, educators, and civil servants with practical AI literacy and digital transformation skills—laying the groundwork for AI-enabled governance and service delivery. The program also emphasizes the importance of standardizing credentials and aligning training with industry demand, ensuring that skilling translates into employability rather than isolated capacity-building efforts. Scaling Through Industry and SMEs Kenya’s private sector has been instrumental in broadening access to AI education. Partnerships with the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and MESH are training entrepreneurs and SMEs in AI adoption and cybersecurity, helping them harness emerging technologies while addressing barriers such as affordability, connectivity, and data access. These collaborations bridge the gap between training and implementation, ensuring AI capability development reaches the informal economy — a vital engine of Kenya’s growth. Building AI Literacy from the Ground Up Kenya’s education ecosystem is embedding AI and digital skills into curricula across all levels — from K–12 to universities and technical institutions. The approach aims to equip young learners with problem-solving, coding, and ethical AI awareness early on, preparing a generation of innovators who can compete globally. By integrating AI modules into existing STEM programs, Kenya is ensuring that digital skills become a core competency, not an afterthought. Inclusion Through Civil Society Civil society organizations are also key partners in Kenya’s AI skilling ecosystem. Community-based training programs are targeting gig workers, women, and underserved communities, widening participation in the digital economy. Through local partnerships, these programs offer affordable, accessible learning opportunities that align with Kenya’s national digital transformation strategy, ensuring no group is left behind. A Continental Blueprint Kenya’s cross-sector and inclusive approach demonstrates how structured coordination among government, industry, academia, and civil society can overcome fragmentation — one of the biggest challenges facing digital transformation efforts across Africa. By combining policy leadership, private-sector collaboration, and grassroots inclusion, Kenya’s AI Skilling Initiative offers a blueprint for sustainable, people-centered AI development on the continent. “Africa’s AI revolution will depend on its human capital,” said a senior AINSI representative. “Kenya’s experience shows that when you invest in people, innovation and opportunity follow.”

GSMA Launches Pan-African Collaboration to Build Inclusive AI Language Models
Technology

GSMA Launches Pan-African Collaboration to Build Inclusive AI Language Models

The GSMA, together with a coalition of major technology and telecom partners, has announced a continent-wide collaboration to strengthen Africa’s artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem by developing inclusive African AI language models. The initiative was unveiled at MWC Kigali 2025, under the banner “AI Language Models in Africa, by Africa, for Africa.” It brings together leading telecom operators — Airtel, Axian Telecom, Ethio Telecom, MTN, Orange, and Vodacom — alongside Cassava Technologies, Lelapa AI, Pawa AI, Masakhane African Languages Hub, Qhala, Awarri, the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), and the World Sandbox Alliance. Addressing Africa’s Language Gap in AI The collaboration aims to “crowd in resources and expertise” across four critical pillars — data, compute, talent, and policy — to ensure African languages, cultures, and knowledge are properly represented in the digital age. “Africa’s diversity of languages and cultures is one of our greatest strengths, yet it has too often been overlooked in the development of global AI systems,” said Angela Wamola, GSMA Head of Africa. “This initiative is about turning that challenge into an opportunity — building African-led AI capacity and ensuring Africa shapes the digital future on its own terms.” According to the GSMA’s AI for Africa report series, over 2,000 languages are spoken across the continent, yet only a fraction are supported in existing digital systems or large language models (LLMs). This imbalance, the GSMA warns, risks widening digital and economic divides. Building African-Led AI Capacity The initiative’s objective is to develop AI language models trained on African languages and local data, enabling the creation of tools and applications tailored to African social, cultural, and economic realities. Use cases could include: AI-powered translation tools that enable cross-border communication.Chatbots and virtual assistants that understand and respond in local dialects.Education and government services powered by AI that reflects African contexts. The collaboration follows a GSMA-led feasibility study confirming that African-led language models are technically feasible and economically viable, provided there is collective investment and policy alignment. Collective Leadership and Accountability To ensure sustained impact, dedicated working groups will be established to drive measurable progress across key focus areas — data quality and access, computing infrastructure, AI talent development, and policy coordination. Participating partners will showcase outcomes and share progress at upcoming GSMA events to maintain accountability and transparency. The GSMA has also issued an open call for ecosystem partners — including startups, academia, creative industries, civil society, and global technology players — to join and contribute to the project. A Turning Point for Africa’s Digital Inclusion This pan-African initiative builds on growing global interest in inclusive AI. In July 2025, Google announced major investments to advance AI tools supporting over 40 African languages, while African startups such as Lelapa AI and Pawa AI continue pioneering local language models. The GSMA’s coordinated effort signals a continental shift from AI adoption to AI creation, ensuring Africa’s linguistic and cultural diversity forms part of the foundation of the world’s digital future — not an afterthought. “By working together,” Wamola said, “we can make AI more inclusive, more relevant, and more reflective of the world we live in.”

Telkom FutureMakers and UK–SA Tech Hub Launch AI Readiness Accelerator to Empower South African Startups
Technology

Telkom FutureMakers and UK–SA Tech Hub Launch AI Readiness Accelerator to Empower South African Startups

Telkom FutureMakers, in partnership with the UK–SA Tech Hub (an initiative of the UK Government), has launched the AI Readiness Accelerator, a six-month programme designed to equip South African startups with the tools, talent, and technical capacity to harness artificial intelligence (AI) as a competitive edge. “Unlike other programmes that teach you, this one builds with you,” said Telkom in its announcement on LinkedIn. Building With Founders, Not Just Training Them The fully funded accelerator offers a hands-on, founder-centric approach to scaling. Over six months, participants will receive embedded technical teams, AI engineering support, and guidance on data and cloud integration—all geared toward helping startups deploy practical AI solutions aligned with corporate and investor opportunities. The programme’s structure is designed to de-risk early growth and prove market readiness, culminating in a sector-specific investor demo day. Each startup will present to curated investors matched by industry and stage. Participants will also receive: A Technical Due Diligence report to demonstrate investor and customer readiness.Executive wellness support to help founders stay mentally resilient during scaling.Access to corporate deal pathways through Telkom’s innovation and enterprise ecosystem. Focus Areas and Selection The AI Readiness Accelerator targets data-driven startups operating in high-impact verticals, including: FinTechEdTechHealthTechAgriTechAnd other sectors leveraging AI and data for business transformation. Only 10 South African startups—from Pre-seed to Series A stage—will be selected for this exclusive programme. Applications are open until 24 October 2025 via this link. Strengthening South Africa’s AI Startup Ecosystem By combining Telkom FutureMakers’ innovation ecosystem and the UK–SA Tech Hub’s international network, the accelerator underscores a shared commitment to building Africa’s AI economy from the ground up. The programme aims to bridge the talent, infrastructure, and investment gaps that often prevent early-stage companies from scaling AI-driven solutions. With embedded engineers, investor access, and holistic founder support, the AI Readiness Accelerator stands out as a practical launchpad for startups ready to move beyond experimentation and into AI-powered execution. The clock is ticking for ambitious South African founders ready to shape the future of AI innovation. Applications close 24 October 2025.

Oracle AI World 2025 Highlights Africa’s Cloud Momentum, as Old Mutual Showcases South Africa’s Cloud-First Success

Oracle’s annual flagship event has officially embraced the AI era. Renamed Oracle AI World 2025 (from Cloud World), the conference drew more than 20,000 delegates to Las Vegas last week — a clear signal that generative AI has become the centerpiece of enterprise innovation. But amid the excitement over AI-driven applications, Oracle’s message was clear: [...]