Google has announced that university students in Nigeria and seven other African countries will receive free one-year subscriptions to its AI Pro plan, a move the company says is aimed at preparing the continent’s youth for an AI-driven economy.
The initiative will begin with students in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe. It targets individuals aged 18 and above enrolled in higher education institutions.
According to the company, beneficiaries will gain access to advanced AI tools, including Deep Research, which compiles research reports from hundreds of sources, and Gemini 2.5 Pro, designed to assist students with academic writing and assignments.
Google said in a statement that the programme aligns with its broader goal of equipping Africa’s youth with digital competencies. “Africa’s digital economy holds immense potential, and it will be driven by the talent and ingenuity of its next generation. Today’s announcements, spanning AI education, advanced tools for students, and expanded connectivity, are a unified investment into the upward trajectory of the continent,” said Alex Okosi, Google’s Managing Director for Africa.
The company noted that more than seven million Africans have received digital skills training through its programmes, with another three million expected by 2030. It added that over the past four years, $17 million has been provided in funding, curriculum support, training, and access to AI models for African universities and research institutions, with a further $9 million planned in the coming year.
Alongside the education initiative, Google also announced the establishment of four new subsea cable hubs in Africa to improve digital connectivity. The hubs will be located across the north, south, east, and west of the continent, creating new digital corridors that will strengthen links with the rest of the world.
The announcement expands on Google’s Africa Connect programme, which already includes the Equiano subsea cable along Africa’s western coast and the Umoja fibre route linking Kenya to Australia. The company estimates that the Equiano cable alone will add $11.1 billion to Nigeria’s GDP in 2025, alongside $5.8 billion in South Africa and $290 million in Namibia.
Since making a $1 billion commitment to Africa in 2021, Google says it has trained millions of people in digital skills, supported 153 startups that have raised more than $300 million, and expanded internet access to more than 100 million people. In July, it also unveiled a $37 million plan to support AI research, infrastructure, and talent development on the continent.
With the AI Pro subscription programme and infrastructure projects, Google says it is deepening its efforts to ensure African students and institutions have access to advanced digital tools and reliable connectivity.
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