About GX Africa
Programme overview
Across Africa, many talented young people are interested in AI, climate action, and the green economy but struggle to compete for jobs, fellowships, internships, grants, and leadership opportunities. They often lack practical experience, visible evidence of their abilities, relevant networks, and clear pathways into emerging green sectors.
The GX AI4Climate Ambassador Program addresses this gap through a structured, challenge-based learning experience. Over three months, selected ambassadors will use AI to understand and communicate climate policy, complete a relevant green skills course, produce portfolio evidence, and deliver a community outreach activity.
The programme is intended exclusively for current African undergraduate university and TVET students who are committed to developing practical skills and contributing to a more inclusive green transition.
Our impact
Previous GX Africa cohorts attracted applications from about 30 African countries. Cohort 2 brought together 34 ambassadors from 23 countries, and participant-led outreach activities reached more than 5,500 young people. Alumni have secured opportunities including Green Fellowships and a National Geographic Externship with $2,000 in funding.
Programme structure
Month 1: AI for Climate Learning
Participants will learn about emerging trends and ethical questions regarding AI and use practical AI tools responsibly to explore a national climate policy, Nationally Determined Contribution, green growth strategy, or environmental priority. They will learn to simplify complex information, verify important claims, communicate findings clearly, and produce a youth-friendly climate policy explainer for their portfolio.
Month 2: Green Skills Development
Participants will complete a curated green skills course aligned with their interests and career goals. They will also join a practical session with an experienced practitioner, partner, or GX Africa alumnus, then document their learning through a certificate and portfolio reflection.
Month 3: GX Outreach Sprint
Participants will apply their learning by designing and delivering a small climate or green skills outreach activity. The activity may be conducted online or within a local community. Each ambassador will document the activity, audience reached, lessons learned, and evidence of leadership and impact.
Participant benefits
Selected ambassadors will receive:
- Practical learning in AI, climate policy, and green skills
- Membership in a small learning pod with regular check-ins
- Live sessions with alumni, practitioners, and partners
- Guidance on responsible AI use, fact-checking, and effective prompting
- Templates, examples, feedback, and portfolio support
- Access to curated green jobs, fellowships, internships, courses, and funding opportunities
- Portfolio evidence from all three programme challenges
- A GX Africa completion certificate upon meeting the graduation requirements
- Opportunities for selected work and profiles to be featured, subject to consent
- Membership in a growing pan-African green talent network
Eligibility
Applicants should:
- Live in an African country or be an African learner connected to the continent
- Be currently enrolled as an undergraduate university or TVET student
- Demonstrate an interest in AI, climate action, sustainability, green skills, or green careers
- Be able to commit approximately 3 to 5 hours each week for three months
- Be willing to complete all three programme challenges and document their work
- Be prepared to collaborate with participants from different African countries and backgrounds
- Have access to a smartphone or computer and an internet connection
- Be willing to communicate promptly when support is needed
Applicants do not need to be AI experts, climate experts, or experienced leaders. Selection will consider motivation, commitment, integrity, learning potential, and interest in AI & Climate Action.
Programme conditions
- Participation in Cohort 3 is free because the programme is sponsored by the Mastercard Foundation Social Entrepreneurship Fellowship (SEF).
- The programme is delivered primarily online.
- Local outreach activities may be completed online or in person.
- Live sessions may be recorded to support participants affected by connectivity, time zones, work, or study commitments.
- Participants must use AI responsibly, verify important information, and explain how AI supported their work.
- Graduation requires satisfactory completion of all three programme challenges.
- GX Africa does not guarantee employment, fellowships, grants, stipends, travel opportunities, or physical gatherings.
- Places are limited. Applicants should apply only if they can commit to the full programme.
Important dates
- Applications open: Friday, 18 September 2026
- Applications close: Friday, 25 September 2026 at 23:59 East Africa Time
- Selection and confirmation: 26 September to 2 October 2026
- Programme begins: Week of 5 October 2026
- Programme duration: Three months
METHOD OF APPLICATION
Complete the official application form before the deadline. Applications will be assessed against the programme’s eligibility, motivation, commitment, learning potential, and community impact criteria.
CLICK HERE TO APPLYÂ
