AI Skills and Compute Africa Foundation Launches in Kigali to Accelerate Africa’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Future
The AI Skills and Compute Africa Foundation (AISCA Foundation) has officially launched in Kigali, Rwanda, with a mission to strengthen Africa’s artificial intelligence ecosystem by expanding access to computing infrastructure, AI skills development, research support, and collaboration opportunities.
Supported by seed funding from founding technology partner Cassava Technologies, the initiative seeks to address one of Africa’s biggest barriers to AI innovation — limited access to computing power. By closing this “compute gap,” the foundation aims to enable African researchers and innovators to build globally competitive AI solutions locally while nurturing a strong pipeline of technical talent across the continent.
AISCA Foundation CEO Isobel Acquah said Africa already possesses the talent, creativity, and urgency needed to lead in applied AI, but has often lacked coordinated support systems, affordable compute resources, contextualised datasets, and clear pathways to economic opportunities.
The foundation’s strategy is built around four key pillars. The first is sovereign compute infrastructure, developed in partnership with Cassava Technologies, to ensure that data processing and storage remain within African borders. The second focuses on creating high-quality African datasets in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and climate. The third pillar centres on expanding AI skills development across the value chain, while the fourth aims to build a pan-African community that can identify, mentor, and support emerging technical talent.
AISCA Foundation has outlined ambitious targets designed to drive inclusive growth across the continent. These include transitioning one million young people into sustainable economic opportunities within the AI sector, awarding compute grants to 25,000 AI-focused innovators, and supporting 10,000 AI researchers with both computing resources and technical assistance.
To achieve these goals, the foundation plans to collaborate with universities, governments, private-sector organisations, venture capital networks, and development agencies to ensure AI innovation is aligned with African priorities and accessible to local entrepreneurs and researchers.
Speaking during the launch event in Kigali, Cassava Technologies President and Group CEO Hardy Pemhiwa said the company’s investment in AI infrastructure is intended to empower African youth to create practical, localised solutions that directly benefit their communities.
AISCA Board Chairperson Dr Agnes Kalibata emphasized the importance of Africa developing technologies tailored to its own realities and challenges, rather than relying heavily on imported systems that may not adequately address local needs.
The decision to launch the foundation in Kigali highlights Rwanda’s growing reputation as a leading centre for digital innovation and emerging technologies in Africa.
