NAIROBI, Kenya — African policymakers will soon have access to advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and digital skills training through a new initiative launched by Qhala, a Nairobi-based innovation company, and Apolitical, a global learning platform for government.
The two organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on September 29 to establish Q-Academy, a learning hub that will provide AI literacy and governance-focused training to public servants across the continent.
Under the partnership, Apolitical will give 500 policymakers access to its Government AI Campus (GAIC) — an established online platform already used by over 270,000 public officers worldwide.
Qhala will complement this with AI literacy masterclasses tailored for Africa’s public sector, drawing on its experience running similar sessions in Kenya, Cameroon, and Rwanda.
“This collaboration is about empowering African policymakers with the skills they need to harness the power of AI for public good,” said Dr. Shikoh Gitau, CEO of Qhala. “By contextualizing global knowledge to local realities, we are bridging the gap between innovation and implementation in government.”
The first 500 participants will be drawn from Kenya, Cameroon, Rwanda, South Africa, Nigeria, and Senegal.
Q-Academy will offer a blend of curated GAIC resources and custom training modules designed to support responsible AI adoption in governance, policy, and service delivery.
It will also provide self-paced learning pathways for policymakers, technologists, analysts, and executives.
Robyn Scott, co-founder and CEO of Apolitical, said the collaboration would expand Africa’s capacity to adapt to rapid technological change.
“The AI Campus’s high-quality training, now available via the Academy, will help ensure public servants have the knowledge and skills they need to deliver for citizens in an AI-driven future,” she said.
The launch comes at a pivotal moment, as African governments step up their focus on artificial intelligence.
At least 20 countries, including Kenya, Rwanda, and Nigeria, have already rolled out national AI strategies, while the African Union has developed a continental AI framework and established the Africa AI Council.
Rachel Osendo, Qhala’s Lead Policy Consultant, noted that the Academy was not only about upskilling officials but also ensuring that Africa’s digital transformation is equitable and inclusive.
“The efforts of Q-Academy go beyond training; it’s about future-proofing governance systems with responsible AI that ensures equity, gender inclusion, and local context-specific solutions,” she said.
The Academy was officially unveiled in Nairobi on September 29, 2025.
