Beginning June 21, Qhala and a coalition of partners are launching a week-long initiative to embed artificial intelligence (AI) in education systems across Kenya and select African countries.
The event, Africa AI Week 2025, will run from June 21 to 28 and feature teacher training sessions in Nairobi, Nakuru, Kilifi, Kisumu, and Mt. Kenya, as well as in Zambia, Senegal, Togo, and online.
This year’s theme, “AI in My Language, My Classroom, My Future,” underscores a movement to democratize AI literacy at every level of Africa’s education ecosystem.
The initiative aims to build long-term capacity and embed responsible, African-led AI education directly into national curricula, from early childhood to tertiary education.
“To cultivate a strong talent pipeline, we must start early—by equipping young minds with the skills and curiosity to shape Africa’s AI-driven future. It’s not just about catching up; it’s about positioning the continent to lead and thrive in the global AI economy,” said Barbara Osiro, Project Manager for Africa AI Week 2025.
Launch Event and Educator Training
The launch event will bring together educators, policymakers, students, startups, and curriculum experts for live panels, showcases, and discussions on the role of AI in Africa’s future.
Over the week, nearly 700 educators—each registered with their national Teachers Service Commissions (TSC)—will be trained in foundational AI concepts and will serve as multipliers in classrooms nationwide.
Weeklong Activities and Workshops
Participating hubs will host:
- Train-the-Trainer (TOT) sessions: Over 200 educators per location
- Hackathons: For children and tertiary-level learners
- AI literacy workshops: In both urban and rural settings
- Expert-led discussions: On the ethics and practicalities of AI in African contexts
- EdTech showcases: Featuring real-world African AI solutions
“We are not just talking about AI—we are training teachers, influencing policy, and designing curricula. If AI is the future of work, Africa must prepare from the classroom up. These efforts position Africa not as a passive consumer of global technology trends, but as a shaper of responsible and inclusive AI applications—rooted in context, culture, and continent-wide collaboration,” declared Dr. Shikoh Gitau, CEO of Qhala.
Long-Term Vision and Policy Engagement
Africa AI Week 2025 is a call to stakeholders to co-create sustainable AI learning journeys, contribute to curriculum development, co-design pilots, and engage with ministries of education.
This is not a one-off campaign but part of Qhala’s broader ambition to influence curriculum reform in Kenya and across Africa, drawing inspiration from countries such as China, which have already begun integrating AI into formal education.
Following the launch, a policy roundtable in July will convene curriculum developers, national ministries, and continental actors to map out AI’s role in national education strategies further.
Africa AI Literacy Week 2025 is organised by Qhala, in partnership with Datocracy, Panoply, Aga Khan University, Mtoto News, and regional innovation hubs including BongoHive Zambia and Galsen AI Senegal.