Google.org has announced a $2.1 million (₦3 billion) investment to support Nigeria’s artificial intelligence sector, targeting the creation of one million digital jobs and strengthening the country’s growing tech economy.

Google

The initiative is aligned with Nigeria’s National AI Strategy and is expected to contribute significantly to the nation’s digital transformation, with AI projected to add $15 billion to the economy by 2030.

The funding will support partnerships with local organizations focused on skills development and cybersecurity.

FATE Foundation and the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) will collaborate with universities to integrate AI curriculum into classroom teaching, creating a sustainable pipeline of AI-ready graduates.

Similarly, the African Technology Forum (ATF) will run an AI innovation challenge, guiding developers from bootcamp training through product development and pitching stages.

Google also emphasized digital safety. Junior Achievement Africa will scale the “Be Internet Awesome” curriculum to teach online safety to youth, parents, and teachers nationwide, while the CyberSafe Foundation will provide cybersecurity training and technical support to public institutions to strengthen digital infrastructure defenses.

Highlighting the human impact of its digital skills programs, Google cited the case of Joel Kiate, a digital marketer in Abuja, who secured employment after completing Google’s training despite failing university entrance exams five times.

A Google spokesperson said: “When we connect people with the right tools and opportunities, they don’t just find jobs—they build careers and become part of Nigeria’s growing digital economy.”

The investment reflects growing confidence in Nigeria’s tech sector, which continues to position itself as a major hub for digital innovation in Africa.

As Team OneGrid Energies walked away with the grand prize of three million naira and an HP laptop each at the MTN 2025 PachiPanda Challenge, the strongest message from the closing ceremony held on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, was not just about winning ideas, but about building ideas that pay.

OneGrid Energies

Tobechukwu Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services & Sustainability Officer at MTN Nigeria, delivered a powerful charge to the next generation of African climate innovators. He said, “Too often we celebrate innovation only for its brilliance. Today I challenge you to go further and create bankable innovation. Look around you, find the problems that need solutions, and solve them with boldness. The future belongs to you, and Africa is counting on you all to rise and deliver the change we have been waiting for.”

Okigbo reminded the finalists that Africa’s greatest asset is its youth, and that digital tools, from AI to the internet, have levelled the global playing field. “The future is yours,” he declared. “You are the leaders of tomorrow and with the necessary tools and boldness, you have the platform to rise and rewrite Africa’s story.”

The winning solution by OneGrid Energies, a scalable platform providing smallholder farmers with hyper-localised climate data and optimised planting advice, was hailed as a perfect example of innovation that can both save livelihoods and create viable business models.

Joshua Ndaman secured second place with his innovative solution, BuyScrap, a tech-driven platform that streamlines the collection and recycling of electronic waste. By ensuring that discarded electronics are ethically reused and repurposed, BuyScrap supports a circular economy and provides a reliable link between households and processors in the e-waste value chain.

Representing Dr. Joseph Daniel Onaja, Director General, Nigerian Conservative Foundation, Uchenna Achunine, Director, Business Development and Communications, Nigerian Conservation Foundation, congratulated the winners and commended their efforts in the two-day, intense pitch hosted by MTN Nigeria in partnership with WWF, the three-day PachiPanda Challenge held from 24–26 November 2025, transformed the MTN Rooftop in Lagos into a launchpad for climate-tech startups, proving that African youth are not waiting for permission to solve the continent’s biggest challenges; they are already building the profitable, impactful solutions the world needs.

Airtel Africa Foundation, through Airtel Nigeria, has marked International Volunteer Day 2025 by celebrating the impact of the Employee Volunteer Programme (EVP), a flagship initiative by which employees volunteer their time, expertise, and personal resources to advancing the Foundation’s mission across 14 African markets.

The celebration brought together volunteers at the Airtel Nigeria Headquarters in Lagos for moments of team bonding activities, testimonials, and volunteer spotlights. The event also served as a call to action, encouraging more employees to register for EVP activities and join the volunteer community.

The EVP has become a cornerstone of Airtel Africa Foundation’s community impact, empowering employees to drive local CSR initiatives and champion causes that promote education, digital skills, environmental responsibility, and youth empowerment. Through the programme, volunteers have contributed significantly to initiatives such as the International Day of Education Essay Competition, Teacher-for-a-Day sessions, beach clean-ups, market sensitisation exercises to reduce plastic waste, and the Airtel-3MTT NextGen Fellowship for young Nigerians.

Speaking about the celebration, Dinesh Balsingh, Airtel Nigeria Chief Executive Officer, said, “International Volunteer Day reminds us that real impact begins with people who are willing to show up and serve. Today we honour the incredible dedication of Airtel employees, whose selfless commitment of time and talent is the engine behind our progress. Their contribution is the backbone of our work and the reason we continue to transform communities across Africa.”

Over the years, the EVP in Nigeria has delivered tangible outcomes through numerous impactful initiatives such as financial donations to the Lagos State Government COVID-19 control efforts. In 2025 alone, volunteers have contributed more than 200 hours of service, reaching over 100,000 beneficiaries.

Commenting on the commitment of Airtel Nigeria’s employees, Femi Adeniran, Director, Corporate Communications & CSR, said, “Volunteering is at the heart of who we are. Behind every empowered learner, every restored environment, and every connected community is an individual who believed in making a difference, and we are thankful for your participation. Our mission remains clear: to use technology, resources, and our collective humanity to build a digitally inclusive, socially responsible, and sustainable Africa.”

International Volunteer Day provides a global moment to honour volunteers whose contributions often go unseen but deliver lasting impact. As its EVP continues to grow, Airtel Africa Foundation remains committed to expanding access to education, digital literacy, environmental care, and opportunities for underserved communities across the continent.