Meta Launches AI Academy in Kenya for Startups and Small Businesses

Kenyan students, developers, startups, small business owners and career professionals can access free AI training and compete for equity-free funding through AI Academy Kenya, launched by global technology company Meta in partnership with African AI accelerator This Is Digital.

The programme, officially launched on September 11, has two main components: an AI Pitchathon and an eight-week AI Masterclass. The training will cover AI fundamentals, prompt engineering and practical applications for research, documentation, reporting and productivity.

Under the Pitchathon, Kenyan startups and developers building with Meta's AI technologies will pitch their products and ideas in Nairobi for a chance to win equity-free funding. The winner will also earn a place at Meta's AI Summit in Istanbul, Türkiye, in November.

Applications for the Pitchathon close on September 30, with the pitch event scheduled for October 15. Applications for the AI Masterclass close on October 31, while classes are due to begin on November 3.

Building AI skills

The programme comes as Kenya faces a significant youth employment and skills challenge. Youth unemployment among people aged 15 to 34 has been reported at more than 67%, while businesses continue to face shortages in specialised technology and cybersecurity skills.

Kenya's National AI Strategy, launched in 2025, identified skills gaps, fragmented governance frameworks and limited access to quality data among the barriers to the country's AI ambitions. Talent development was also listed as one of the strategy's cross-cutting priorities.

The AI Academy adds a private-sector training programme to existing efforts to build AI and digital skills in Kenya, with a focus on helping people apply the technology to business, research and other practical tasks.

From training to building

This Is Digital was founded in 2025 as an AI and digital accelerator. The organisation says it has trained more than 800 AI Champions across more than 10 countries through masterclasses and consultancy programmes for individuals and businesses.

Meta's Public Policy Director for East Africa, Mercy Ndegwa, said the next wave of AI innovation in Kenya would come from local builders solving local problems. “That is why we are working with This Is Digital to put practical training and open models in the hands of Kenyan developers, students and small business owners, so that what gets built here is designed for this market by the people who understand it best.”

Gregory Wanjama, CEO of This Is Digital, said the partnership would allow the organisation to expand its reach. 

“Partnering with Meta allows us to scale our impact, empowering Kenyan professionals, startups, and students with actionable skills to drive real-world productivity, innovation, and economic growth.”

Grace Murugi, Chief AI and Digital Strategist at This Is Digital, said the academy would also focus on helping Kenya's technology ecosystem develop homegrown intellectual property that can compete internationally.

The programme will combine practical AI applications with an emphasis on ethical and responsible use, giving participants skills they can apply in their businesses, careers and technology projects.