Kenyan students, developers, startups, small business owners and career professionals are set to gain access to free artificial intelligence training and equity-free funding opportunities following the launch of AI Academy Kenya, a new initiative by Meta and African AI accelerator This Is Digital.
The programme is designed to strengthen practical AI skills among local talent while encouraging Kenyan innovators to develop solutions that address challenges within their communities and businesses. Founded in 2025, This Is Digital has trained more than 800 “AI Champions” across over 10 countries through masterclasses and consultancy programmes serving individuals and enterprises.
Mercy Ndegwa, Meta’s Public Policy Director for East Africa, said the next phase of AI innovation in Kenya would increasingly be driven by local developers building solutions around local needs.
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“That is why we are working with This Is Digital to put practical training and open models in the hands of Kenyan developers, students and small business owners, so that what gets built here is designed for this market by the people who understand it best,” she said.
Gregory Wanjama, CEO of This Is Digital, said the partnership with Meta would enable the organisation to expand its reach and equip more Kenyan professionals, startups and students with practical skills that can improve productivity, support innovation and contribute to economic growth.
Grace Murugi, Chief AI and Digital Strategist at This Is Digital, said the academy would also focus on helping Kenya develop homegrown intellectual property capable of competing in global markets. The programme will simplify complex AI concepts while promoting ethical and responsible approaches to AI development.
Officially launched on 11 September, AI Academy Kenya consists of two main components: an AI Pitchathon and an eight-week AI Masterclass. The masterclass will cover AI fundamentals, prompt engineering and practical applications of AI in areas such as research, documentation, reporting and productivity.
The AI Pitchathon will give Kenyan startups and developers building with Meta’s AI technologies an opportunity to present their solutions in Nairobi and compete for equity-free funding. The winner will also secure a place at Meta’s AI Summit in Istanbul, Türkiye, scheduled for November.
Applications for the Pitchathon close on 30 September, with the pitching event scheduled for 15 October. Meanwhile, applications for the AI Masterclass close on 31 October, and classes are expected to begin on 3 November.
The initiative comes as Kenya faces a growing digital skills gap alongside rising demand for AI capabilities across different parts of the economy. The country’s AI Strategy, launched in 2025, identified talent development as a key priority and called for stronger pipelines of AI professionals and targeted training programmes.
With AI adoption continuing to expand, initiatives such as AI Academy Kenya are emerging alongside government programmes to strengthen the country’s digital talent base. By combining practical training, access to AI technologies and funding opportunities, the programme aims to give local innovators greater capacity to build solutions for Kenya and compete in the wider global digital economy.
