Ghana Debuts AiAfrica Labs, Certifies 250 Premium AI Instructors
Ghana has taken a significant step forward in its digital transformation journey with the launch of AiAfrica Labs in Accra. The event, held at the Accra Digital Centre, was celebrated as a step towards "localising and democratising AI for Africa's development."
The upcoming Data Harmonisation Act aims to regulate public sector data and support culturally relevant AI models, aligning with Ghana's 24-Hour Economy Policy, which is aimed at fostering productivity, digital enablement, and a competitive technology-driven workforce.
The launch of AiAfrica Labs is part of Ghana's efforts to transform its digital landscape. The initiative is an extension of Ghana's AI and digital transformation drive, which encompasses several major programs. These include the One Million Coders Programme, the Draft National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, and the Girls-in-ICT Programme, all aimed at equipping the population and public sector with AI and digital skills to advance economic and social development.
The One Million Coders Programme is a flagship initiative that focuses on training a large workforce in digital skills, notably coding and AI-related competencies, to prepare Ghana and Africa for the global digital economy. The programme is recognized as a key program driving regional digital transformation by equipping individuals with skills for emerging technologies.
The Draft National Artificial Intelligence Strategy is currently being developed by Ghana’s Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations (MoCDTI). A high-level Ministerial AI Bootcamp held in July 2025 prepared government leaders with foundational AI knowledge, ethics, and policy implications in anticipation of submitting this draft strategy to Parliament. The strategy aims to leverage AI to improve public services across sectors like health, agriculture, education, and finance, with an expected economic growth contribution of up to $20 billion by 2030.
The Girls-in-ICT Programme, although not detailed in the search results, is a well-known Ghana initiative to encourage girls and young women to pursue careers in information and communication technology, helping to address gender imbalance in the tech space and promote inclusive digital transformation.
The launch event for AiAfrica Labs was spoken for by the Deputy Minister Hon. Mohammed Adam Sukparu, on behalf of the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George. Hon. Sukparu emphasised that AI adoption must remain inclusive, benefiting rural communities, women, persons with disabilities, and other marginalised groups. The 250 Platinum AI Trainers, trained with advanced AI competencies, are expected to play a key role in supporting Ghana's rural communities as part of the AI adoption's inclusivity.
The launch of AiAfrica Labs is expected to create jobs and bring market-ready innovations to life. Ghana's commitment to harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) for national and continental development is evident in its various initiatives, including its collaboration with UNDP through initiatives like the Ministerial AI Bootcamp, emphasising capacity-building at leadership levels. Ghana also secures significant investments to advance AI-powered sectors such as agriculture, with a recent $100 million fund aimed at positioning Ghana as a hub for AI-driven agricultural productivity and value chain enhancement.
The AI Africa Project, endorsed by Ghana's Diaspora Affairs Office, seeks to train over 1 million Ghanaians and 10 million Africans in AI and digital skills as part of a broader continental digital skills development plan, signalling Ghana’s commitment to pan-African digital transformation. The launch of AiAfrica Labs is significant for Africa's development, as it aims to localise and democratise AI.
The Data Harmonisation Act, a regulation for public sector data, aligns with Ghana's goals for culturally relevant AI models, as part of the 24-Hour Economy Policy that fosters a competitive technology-driven workforce. The One Million Coders Programme, a flagship initiative, focuses on equipping individuals with digital skills, including AI-related competencies, to prepare for the global digital economy.
