"We cannot wait for the world to train our talent. We must build the future we want by empowering our own."
— Luc Okalobe, Founder, Yamify
Africa stands at a crossroads.
With a population projected to double to 2.5 billion by 2050 (UN DESA, 2022), a median age under 20, and smartphone penetration growing exponentially, the continent is poised to become one of the most vibrant digital markets in the world. Yet despite these favorable demographics, we risk missing out on the defining wave of this century: *Artificial Intelligence. *
The global AI industry is expected to contribute over $15.7 trillion to the world economy by 2030 (PwC, 2023). Yet much of Africa is still stuck in “observer mode,” consuming AI content and products instead of creating them.
*The Problem: AI Education in Africa Is Largely Theoretical, Not Practical. *
In 2022, Google reported that Africa’s professional developer population reached 716,000, with top growth in Nigeria, Kenya, and Egypt. However, over 70% of these developers are self-taught, primarily through MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), YouTube, and peer communities (Google Africa Developer Report, 2022).
But there's a catch.
Most online AI education is passive, focused on watching lectures or earning certificates—often without access to the GPUs, datasets, or APIs required to actually build and deploy AI systems.
That’s like learning to drive by watching Formula 1 races—engaging, but insufficient.
Continue reading https://yamify.substack.com/p/we-cannot-wait-for-the-world-to-train
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