Microsoft is making a push for more Africans to adopt its artificial-intelligence tools as the U.S. technology giant competes with China¡¯s DeepSeek for customers from the world¡¯s youngest and fastest-growing population.
The Redmond, Washington-based company plans to train 3 million Africans on its AI technology this year, in partnership with schools, universities and other institutions, with a focus on South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Morocco. It¡¯s also partnered with MTN Group, Africa¡¯s biggest telecommunications firm, to sell the Microsoft 365 suit of apps together with its Copilot digital assistant to its 300 million subscribers.
The Microsoft Elevate training initiative aims ¡°to make sure cost is not a barrier to building AI literacy at scale,¡± Middle East and Africa President Naim Yazbeck said in an interview. ¡°Chinese technology is active in Africa and our job is to compete.¡±
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