In a landmark move for technology education in Africa, OpenAI has announced the launch of its first “OpenAI Academy” on the continent at the University of Lagos. The announcement was made during UNILAG’s 5th International Week event, under the theme “Equitable Partnerships and the Future of AI in Africa.” According to Emmanuel Lubanzadio, OpenAI’s Africa Lead, the academy will offer free training courses across sectors including startups, governments and broader industries to empower Africa’s AI-capabilities.
The initiative is being framed as more than a traditional educational programme. UNILAG’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, emphasised that Africa must not remain a passive consumer of AI technologies, but become an active contributor to their design and deployment. She noted that the partnership with OpenAI presents an opportunity for African institutions and innovators to “co-create” solutions tailored to local realities rather than simply adopt models built elsewhere. The university has already been engaging with research and innovation in AI-related fields, such as tools that work in low-connectivity rural settings.
The free-access academy is expected to help bridge the skills gap across multiple sectors by providing courses on AI fundamentals, product development, and how to deploy AI in real-world contexts. Observers say the move could significantly enhance Africa’s competitiveness in global AI innovation, particularly if the training leads to practical deployment in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare and governance. However, success will depend on sustained access to infrastructure, follow-through on local adaptation, and strong partnerships between academia, industry and government.
