Meta has partnered with African AI accelerator This Is Digital to launch AI Academy Kenya, a new capacity-building programme aimed at equipping Kenyan students, developers, startups, small business owners and professionals with practical artificial intelligence skills.
The programme was officially launched on September 11, 2026 and brings together developer training, startup acceleration and AI masterclasses as Kenya looks to build more local expertise around emerging AI technologies.
A key component of the initiative is the AI Pitchathon, which will give Kenyan startups and developers building solutions using Meta’s AI technologies an opportunity to pitch their products in Nairobi.
Selected participants will compete for equity-free funding and an invitation to pitch at Meta’s AI Summit in Istanbul, Türkiye, in November 2026.
The Pitchathon is scheduled for October 15, 2026, with applications closing on September 30.
The second component of the programme is an eight-week AI Masterclass, which will focus on practical applications of AI across professional and business environments.
The curriculum will cover areas including AI fundamentals, prompt engineering, AI for research and knowledge work, AI for documents, reporting and communication, and AI for productivity.
According to Meta, the partnership is intended to make AI skills and tools more accessible to local builders while encouraging the development of solutions addressing challenges in the Kenyan market.
“The next wave of AI innovation in Kenya will come from local builders solving local problems,” said Mercy Ndegwa, Public Policy Director, East Africa at Meta.
Ndegwa said the partnership with This Is Digital will help put practical training and open models in the hands of Kenyan developers, students and small business owners.
Gregory Wanjama, CEO of This Is Digital, said the partnership will help expand access to practical AI skills across Kenya’s professional and startup ecosystem.
“Partnering with Meta allows us to scale our impact, empowering Kenyan professionals, startups, and students with actionable skills to drive real-world productivity, innovation, and economic growth,” he said.
Grace Murugi, Chief AI & Digital Strategist at This Is Digital, added that the academy will also emphasise ethical and responsible AI use while helping participants develop solutions and intellectual property that can compete internationally.
Applications for the AI Masterclass are also open, with the deadline set for October 31, 2026. The eight-week programme is scheduled to begin on November 3, 2026.
For these and more stories, follow us on X (Formerly Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn and Telegram. You can also send us tips or reach out at [email protected].
Also Read: This is Digital Hosts AI Appreciation Breakfast to Celebrate AI Day and Launch New Literacy Program
