Brief Description
Applications are now open for the FATE Foundation AI Upskilling Programme 2026, a landmark initiative designed to transform Artificial Intelligence learning and teaching across African Higher Education institutions. This programme is part of a broader continental effort to strengthen Artificial Intelligence Education Africa and prepare institutions, educators, and students for the rapidly evolving global AI economy.
The FATE Foundation AI Upskilling Programme is implemented by FATE Foundation in collaboration with the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) and is supported by Google.org. It forms a key component of the Africa AI Upskilling Programme, a multi-country initiative spanning Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa.
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Through this programme, participating institutions gain access to world-class AI curriculum, faculty training, and student-centered project development pathways. By embedding AI education into existing STEM programmes, the initiative strengthens Higher Education Institutions Africa and contributes to long-term sustainability in AI Skills Development Africa.
Name of Organizer
FATE Foundation
FATE Foundation is a leading nonprofit organization focused on entrepreneurship, innovation, and capacity development across Africa. Through initiatives such as the FATE Foundation AI Programme, the organization plays a critical role in building future-ready institutions and advancing AI Education in Africa.
Working alongside AIMS and with support from Google.org, FATE Foundation is helping to institutionalize advanced AI learning through the AI Upskilling Programme Africa, ensuring African Universities are not left behind in global technological advancement.

About the FATE Foundation AI Upskilling Programme
The FATE Foundation AI Upskilling Programme was created to address the growing shortage of advanced AI capacity within African universities. While interest in artificial intelligence is rising, many institutions still lack trained faculty, structured curriculum, and applied learning models.
As part of the broader Africa AI Upskilling Programme, this initiative focuses on training lecturers and teaching assistants—referred to as AI Champions—while also equipping penultimate and final-year students with employable AI skills. This approach strengthens Artificial Intelligence Education Africa at both the institutional and individual levels.
The programme supports AI Training for Lecturers, curriculum integration, and hands-on project development, making it a cornerstone initiative for AI Skills Development Africa.
Target Audience
The FATE Foundation AI Upskilling Programme is designed for:
* Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa
* Lecturers and Teaching Assistants (AI Champions) teaching STEM-related courses
* Penultimate and final-year STEM students interested in applied artificial intelligence
By focusing on institutions rather than individuals alone, the AI Upskilling Programme Africa strengthens entire academic ecosystems and reinforces Higher Education Institutions Africa.

Key Benefits of the Programme
Institutions selected for the FATE Foundation AI Upskilling Programme will gain multiple benefits, including:
* Becoming pioneers in advancing AI Education in Africa
* Strengthening institutional capacity through structured AI Training for Lecturers
* Access to a localized Google DeepMind AI Curriculum
* Equipping students with advanced, future-ready, and employable AI skills
* Supporting students to develop AI-powered solutions to real-world problems
* Gaining visibility through showcases, recognitions, and continental platforms
* Contributing directly to the growth of Artificial Intelligence Education Africa
These benefits position participating institutions as leaders within the Africa AI Upskilling Programme and the wider AI ecosystem.
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Curriculum Overview
The curriculum for the FATE Foundation AI Upskilling Programme is built on global best practices while remaining locally relevant. It is adapted to reflect the social, economic, and technological priorities of each participating country.
Key features include:
* Localization of content for relevance across Africa
* Use of the Google DeepMind AI Curriculum
* Courses covering topics from building small language models to real-world AI deployment
* Emphasis on ethical AI, problem-solving, and applied research
This curriculum structure directly supports AI Skills Development Africa and strengthens Artificial Intelligence Education Africa within participating universities.
Selection Criteria
Applications under the Africa AI Upskilling Programme are assessed based on:
* Institutional eligibility and accreditation
* Readiness to integrate advanced AI curriculum
* Availability of trained or trainable faculty
* Commitment to sustainability, monitoring, and evaluation
Institutions selected through this process are onboarded into the FATE Foundation AI Programme and receive structured implementation support.
Requirements / Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the FATE Foundation AI Upskilling Programme, institutions must meet the following requirements:
1. Be an accredited Higher Education Institution offering STEM programmes in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, or South Africa
2. Have lecturers, teaching assistants, and students ready to participate actively
3. Demonstrate faculty availability and technical readiness
4. Commit to monitoring and evaluation (M&E) reporting and capstone project participation
5. Show willingness to integrate advanced AI curriculum into existing programmes for sustainability
These requirements ensure that Higher Education Institutions Africa can successfully implement the AI Upskilling Programme Africa.
Why This Programme Is Important
Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries worldwide, and universities play a critical role in preparing the next generation of talent. The FATE Foundation AI Upskilling Programme enables institutions to align with global standards while addressing local challenges.
By participating in the Africa AI Upskilling Programme, institutions help build a skilled workforce, expand research capacity, and strengthen AI Education in Africa. The programme also reinforces collaboration between academia, industry, and global research partners, advancing AI Skills Development Africa.
Deadline:
Not specified
Institutions are encouraged to apply early to increase their chances of selection into the FATE Foundation AI Programme.


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