Grace Ashiru
South African tech academy WeThinkCode has received a $2 million grant from Google.org, enabling it to broaden its artificial intelligence (AI) training programs.
This funding will support the training of 12,000 learners across South Africa and Kenya, equipping them with essential AI skills needed in the fast-changing job market.
WeThinkCode, a nonprofit organization, offers tuition-free, aptitude-based training that opens the door to high-quality tech education for individuals who are typically underrepresented in the industry.
With Africa facing a substantial digital skills gap—and the demand for advanced AI capabilities on the rise—WeThinkCode is working to address this by training unemployed youth from low-income communities to become job-ready software engineers.
Founded in 2015, the academy welcomed its first cohort of students in 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Since then, it has expanded to Cape Town (2018) and Durban (2021), and is also delivering its curriculum at public technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges across South Africa.
The grant from Google.org will further support WeThinkCode’s expansion of training programs into Kenya.
WeThinkCode stated that, with AI set to revolutionize industries worldwide, providing AI skills training is essential to ensure African youth lead in this digital transformation.
“We are excited that Google.org is backing efforts to promote AI literacy in Africa,” said Nyari Samushonga, CEO of WeThinkCode, in a statement.
 “AI is reshaping the future of work, and without proactive measures, Africa could be left behind. This initiative guarantees that young people, irrespective of their socio-economic status, acquire the skills necessary to contribute to and influence the digital economy in impactful and relevant ways for years to come,” Samushonga added.
WeThinkCode aims to train 12,000 individuals in South Africa and Kenya in essential AI skills tailored to the fast-changing job landscape.
The program will feature a free, extracurricular course lasting between 40 to 80 hours, designed to upskill participants in both technical and non-technical capacities.
The training will be delivered through two main streams:
 AI for software engineers – Targeting 6,000 aspiring and early-career engineers, this stream focuses on equipping them with vital AI-powered programming tools and workflows.
 AI for non-tech careers – Aimed at 6,000 students and junior employees across various sectors such as law, education, and healthcare, this stream will help them integrate AI into routine administrative duties, significantly boosting efficiency, productivity, and job readiness.
The initiative will focus on individuals from low-income communities and those in peri-urban and rural regions, promoting broader AI adoption throughout the continent. WeThinkCode also plans to upgrade its Learning Management System (LMS) to facilitate both in-person and remote learning, with provisions for local language support.
Haviva Kohl, senior program manager at Google.org, described AI as a “transformative technology” and noted that the funding will help open doors for African youth to gain AI skills that enhance their employability and stimulate inclusive innovation across the region.
Additionally, the program will utilize existing collaborations with companies in financial services, telecommunications, and tech consulting to showcase participants’ new AI skills, thereby boosting their employment opportunities.
According to WeThinkCode, the program will run through 2026.
