Google, in partnership with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, has officially launched the ‘AfCFTA Digital Inclusion & Entrepreneurship Programme’, a free initiative aimed at equipping 7,500 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the continent with cutting-edge AI and digital trade skills.
The programme, powered by Google’s successful Hustle Academy, seeks to bridge Africa’s digital skills gap by delivering practical, localised training that helps entrepreneurs leverage AI-powered tools and navigate cross-border e-commerce under the AfCFTA framework.
Since its inception in 2022, the Google Hustle Academy has already supported more than 18,000 African SMEs, providing a proven foundation for the new expanded initiative.
Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, hailed the partnership as a key step toward realising the continent’s digital trade ambitions.
“This programme is a demonstration of our commitment to fostering digital inclusion and empowering MSMEs to trade under the AfCFTA using digital technologies,” Mene said, adding that it directly supports the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade and the Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade.
Charles Murito, Google’s Regional Director for Government Affairs and Public Policy in Sub-Saharan Africa, emphasised the programme’s focus on building a more connected digital economy.
“By focusing on critical areas like AI, e-commerce, and cross-border trade, we’re helping to build a more connected and prosperous digital ecosystem across the continent,” Murito stated.
ALSO READ: NOKIA WINS MAJOR THREE-YEAR CONTRACT TO MODERNIZE TIM’S 5G NETWORK IN ITALY
The training will be delivered through intensive one-day bootcamps conducted in English, French, Arabic, and Portuguese. Participants will cover three core modules:
-Cross-border digital trade
-Cloud solutions for small businesses
-AI for productivity
UpSkill Universe, a leading digital skills training provider, will manage delivery.
Gori Yahaya, CEO of UpSkill Universe, said: “Entrepreneurs across Africa are already driving change. We recognise the challenges they face, from the rise of AI to shifting customer behaviours. This collaboration ensures we can equip businesses with the practical tools and technologies they need to grow, scale, and thrive.”
The programme targets established SMEs (operating for at least six months) in 19 selected AfCFTA member states, including Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Cameroon, Senegal, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Rwanda, Mauritius, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Namibia, Zambia, Angola, Mozambique, Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco.
Training is set to begin this month (November 2025) and will run in 25 cohorts through June 2026.
The launch marks one of the largest public-private efforts to date to prepare African businesses for the opportunities presented by the world’s largest single market and the accelerating adoption of artificial intelligence across the continent.
