Origin Research and Innovation Labs have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Intel Corporation to accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) skills development and innovation across Africa. The partnership aims to empower educators and students at academic institutions with practical technology capabilities, while supporting the creation of an inclusive AI ecosystem on the continent.
Africa is facing a significant and growing AI skills deficit. According to UNESCO, Africa currently accounts for just around 3% of global AI talent, despite having the world’s fastest‑growing youth population, highlighting an urgent need for locally based AI training initiatives.
Under the MoU, Origin Labs and Intel will collaborate on faculty enablement, curriculum integration, hands‑on training and mentorship of AI skills development at academic institutions. A key focus of the partnership is ensuring that this knowledge is transferred beyond training and into innovation hubs and startups that address local challenges in specific value chains, such as agriculture and manufacturing. These AI solutions can then be scaled and adapted across regions and countries facing similar realities.
To date, the collaboration has already supported 30 universities in Kenya, helping 65 faculty members deliver AI content directly to students and train additional trainers within their institutions. In addition, a team of 15 lead facilitators have been trained, some of whom have been building on the Intel AI programmes, including training 25 TVET tutors. Intel has also supported several OriginFest Hackathons at universities, in which 405 students participated.
The agreement supports Intel’s AI for Future Workforce programme, which forms part of its Digital Readiness portfolio. This focuses on equipping learners in technical and professional institutions with the skills required for employability in a digital economy.
“Developing AI capability at scale requires collaboration across industry, education, and innovation ecosystems. Through our partnership with Origin Labs, we are creating a locally based platform to help equip African talent with the skills, tools, and opportunities needed to participate meaningfully in the global digital economy,” says Susan Mbogo, Country Manager: East Africa, Intel Corporation.
“Our collaboration with Intel reflects our shared commitment to empowering Africa’s emerging talent in technology and focusing on African solutions, rather than importing models that are disconnected from local contexts. Together, we can build on our insight and expertise and support pathways into AI‑driven careers and innovation on the continent,” says Professor Ndirangu Kioni, Lead and Focal Pointat Origin Labs.
Origin Labs and Intel plan to scale AI training through a partnership with the Alliance of Entrepreneurial Universities in Africa, which has over 50 universities, representing approximately 30,000 staff, and over a million students.
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