Microsoft Corp. is ramping up its efforts to expand the adoption of artificial intelligence across Africa, announcing plans to train 3 million people on its technology in 2026. The initiative comes as the company seeks to compete with China’s DeepSeek platform in the world’s youngest and fastest-growing population.
The Redmond, Washington-based company will deliver the training through partnerships with schools, universities, and other institutions, with a focus on South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, and Morocco. Microsoft has also joined forces with MTN Group, Africa’s largest telecommunications operator, to bundle its Microsoft 365 suite and Copilot digital assistant for MTN’s 300 million subscribers.
“To make sure cost is not a barrier to building AI literacy at scale, we are committed to accessible programs across Africa,” said Naim Yazbeck, Microsoft’s president for the Middle East and Africa. He added: “Chinese technology is active in Africa, and our job is to compete.”
While global attention often focuses on AI competition in the United States and Europe, Chinese rivals such as DeepSeek have gained notable traction in Africa, accounting for roughly 11% to 14% of chatbot use across the continent. In Ethiopia and Zimbabwe, the platform has captured up to 20% of the market share, supported by Beijing’s investments in digital infrastructure and telecom expansion.
The United States has also sought to counter China’s influence through strategic investments on the continent, aiming to secure long-term access to customers, data, and AI development opportunities.
In South Africa, Microsoft is investing 5.4 billion rand ($330 million) to expand its cloud and AI capabilities by the end of 2027. The company also plans to build a geothermal-powered data centre in Kenya.
Although DeepSeek is generally more affordable for developers than Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform and Copilot offerings, Yazbeck said Microsoft is addressing the gap by giving entrepreneurs access to Azure and GitHub through its Startup Founders Hub, which also connects participants with venture capital investors.
Microsoft’s Copilot is already making an impact in Africa’s corporate sector. Spar Group in South Africa uses the tool to save more than 700 employee hours annually, while Access Holdings in Nigeria has embedded AI into daily workflows, Yazbeck said.
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Yazbeck encouraged African governments to prioritise AI as a national development strategy, citing the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia as examples of countries seeing returns on such investments. He said AI adoption could boost Africa’s GDP by $1.5 trillion by 2030 and serve as a key driver of future economic growth.
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