Microsoft is making a push for more Africans to adopt its artificial-intelligence tools as the U.S. technology giant competes with China’s DeepSeek for customers from the world’s youngest and fastest-growing population.
The Redmond, Washington-based company plans to train 3 million Africans on its AI technology this year, in partnership with schools, universities and other institutions, with a focus on South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Morocco. It’s also partnered with MTN Group, Africa’s biggest telecommunications firm, to sell the Microsoft 365 suit of apps together with its Copilot digital assistant to its 300 million subscribers.
The Microsoft Elevate training initiative aims “to make sure cost is not a barrier to building AI literacy at scale,” Middle East and Africa President Naim Yazbeck said in an interview. “Chinese technology is active in Africa and our job is to compete.”
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