WeThinkCode secures $2m funding from Google.org

South African tech academy WeThinkCode_ has been awarded $2 million in funding from Google.org.

The money will be used to expand its artificial intelligence training programmes to upskill 12 000 learners in South Africa and Kenya with key AI skills.

According to a recent SAP report, Africa is facing a significant skills gap, with 90% of companies on the continent being negatively impacted by the lack of AI skills, resulting in project delays, failed innovation and the inability to take on new work.

WeThinkCode_ has been bridging this gap for years by training unemployed youth from low-income backgrounds to become work-ready software engineers.

It has successfully done this through its tuition-free, aptitude-based training model, which provides access to high-quality tech education for individuals traditionally underrepresented in the sector.

The company says with AI poised to transform industries globally, this new initiative ensures that African youth are at the forefront of this digital revolution.

The program will offer a free, extracurricular course, ranging from 40 to 80 hours, designed to upskill participants in both technical and non-technical roles. The training will be delivered through two distinct streams:

• AI for Software Engineers: Equipping 6,000 aspiring and early-career engineers with essential AI-powered programming tools and workflows.
• AI for Non-Tech Careers: Training 6,000 students and junior employees in diverse sectors such as legal, education, and health to integrate AI into their daily administrative tasks, significantly enhancing efficiency, productivity, and employability.

Nyari Samushonga, CEO of WeThinkCode_ says: “AI is redefining the future of work, and without intervention, Africa risks being left behind. This program ensures that young people, regardless of their socio-economic background, have the skills to participate in and shape the digital economy in meaningful and relevant ways into the future.”

The initiative is committed to inclusivity, targeting individuals from low-income households and those in peri-urban and rural areas, fostering wider adoption of AI across the continent.

To ensure successful delivery and broad accessibility, WeThinkCode_ will enhance its Learning Management System (LMS) to support both remote and in-person training, with local language adaptations. The program will also leverage existing partnerships with companies in financial services, telecommunications, and tech consulting to showcase participants’ newly acquired AI capabilities and significantly enhance their employment prospects.

Haviva Kohl, Senior Program Manager at Google.org says: “By providing funding to WeThinkCode_, we are helping to create opportunities for African youth to develop AI skills that will make them more competitive in the job market and drive inclusive innovation across the continent.”

Through this contribution, Google.org is supporting WeThinkCode_ to not only address Africa’s immediate digital skills gap but also lay the foundation for long-term economic growth driven by AI proficiency.

The program is set to run through 2026, with employer showcases and outcome measurements ensuring its impact on job readiness and market adoption.