Google’s Africa AI Push Leaves Francophone West Africa Behind
Google launched five new AI initiatives in Africa but focused mainly on English- and Portuguese-speaking markets, leaving Francophone West Africa absent from the announcements. The Google Africa Applied AI Lab in Accra will connect African founders with Google researchers, venture capital funds and early access to AI models. Francophone West. . .
Google launched five new AI initiatives in Africa but focused mainly on English- and Portuguese-speaking markets, leaving Francophone West Africa absent from the announcements. The Google Africa Applied AI Lab in Accra will connect African founders with Google researchers, venture capital funds and early access to AI models. Francophone West Africa faces major digital challenges, with only 40% of the population using the Internet in West and Central Africa despite growing demand for AI skills. Google hosted its first Google Cloud Summit Africa on Wednesday, July 1, in Johannesburg, South Africa. During the event, the company announced five new initiatives targeting the African market, according to an officialstatement. Among the initiatives, Google introduced the Google Africa Applied AI Lab, which will operate from the AI Community Centre (AICC) in Accra, Ghana. James Manyika, Google’s senior vice president for research, presented the programme during the event, which brought together more than 3,000 executives, developers and public-sector leaders, according to Google. Four Initiatives Exclude Francophone West AfricaThe new laboratory will connect African founders with Google researchers and venture capital investors. Selected participants will gain early access to Google’s AI models, including Gemini, Gemma and Veo, before their commercial release. Google will accept applications for the programme until August 31, 2026, according to the company’s dedicated programme website. The initiative follows a broader strategy that has historically focused on English-speaking African markets. In 2019, Google opened its first African AI research centre in Accra. The company later established a second laboratory in Nairobi, Kenya. In 2025, Google also granted free Gemini AI Pro subscriptions to students in eight African countries. The list included Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa and Zimbabwe. No Francophone West African country appeared on that list, according to Google’s announcement. Google also announced a digital innovation centre with WeThinkCode in Soweto, South Africa. Digital Needs Remain High Across Francophone West AfricaGoogle’s limited engagement with Francophone West Africa contrasts with the region’s growing demand for digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence skills. In November 2025, Cotonou hosted a regional summit on digital transformation. The government of Benin and the World Bank jointly organised the event, which focused on Internet access gaps, AI opportunities and the creation of a future regional digital market in West Africa. Only 40% of the population currently uses the Internet in West and Central Africa. Nearly 70% of unconnected people live in areas already covered by mobile networks. Rural Internet access remains limited at 28%, even as sub-Saharan Africa is expected to generate 230 million digital-related jobs by 2030. Benin has expanded its digital infrastructure by connecting 68 municipalities to fibre-optic networks. The country’s mobile coverage now reaches 92% of its territory. Francophone Africa is also developing its own institutional approach to artificial intelligence. The Smart Africa Alliance created the African Artificial Intelligence Council in November 2025 in Conakry, Guinea. The council brings together ministers, technology companies and researchers to guide AI policies across the continent. The parallel development highlights two different paths for AI growth in Africa: targeted private-sector investments from global technology companies and emerging public coordination efforts led by African institutions. This article was initially published in French by Félicien Houindo LokossouAdapted in English by Ange J. A de Berry Quenum