By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
Google and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat on Friday launched a free training programme aimed at equipping thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the continent with artificial intelligence and digital skills to boost intra-African trade.
The “AfCFTA Digital Inclusion & Entrepreneurship Programme”, powered by the Google Hustle Academy, targets entrepreneurs in 19 AfCFTA member states, including Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana and Egypt. The training is set to benefit over 7,500 SMEs.
“The programme aligns with the transformative goal of the AfCFTA, particularly the Protocol on Digital Trade and the Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade,” said Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat.
“It is a demonstration of our commitment to fostering digital inclusion and empowering MSMEs to trade under the AfCFTA using digital technologies,” he added.
Charles Murito, Google’s Regional Director for Government Affairs and Public Policy in sub-Saharan Africa, described technology as “a powerful equalizer”.
“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 said.
Small businesses generate nearly 80 percent of jobs in Africa, according to the partners. The curriculum, delivered in English, French, Arabic and Portuguese, comprises three modules: Cross-Border Digital Trade, Cloud for Small Businesses, and AI for Productivity.
The Cross-Border Digital Trade module, co-developed with the AfCFTA Secretariat, teaches entrepreneurs how to identify new markets, adapt products and manage cross-border payments and logistics.
Participants will also receive hands-on training in Google Workspace and Google Cloud tools, as well as practical applications of AI tools such as Google Gemini for automation, marketing and customer data analysis.
The programme will be delivered by UpSkill Universe and run in 25 cohorts from November 2025 to June 2026.
It builds on the Google Hustle Academy, which has supported more than 18,000 African SMEs since 2022.
Eligible businesses must have been operating for at least six months and be based in one of the participating countries, which also include Cameroon, Senegal, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Rwanda, Mauritius, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Namibia, Zambia, Angola, Mozambique, Tunisia and Morocco.
Applications are now open. Interested SMEs can find more information and apply by visiting: https://apo-opa.co/47MJNY8
