Trade liberalization under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is taking on a new digital dimension. The AfCFTA Secretariat and Google have launched a joint entrepreneurship and digital inclusion program aimed at training 7,500 African Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and digital commerce.
Bridging the Digital Gap for Seamless Cross-Border Trade
This new program, available for free on the Google Hustle Academy platform, directly addresses the digital skills gap—a major obstacle to achieving AfCFTA’s objectives.
As stated by H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA:
“The programme aligns with the AfCFTA’s transformation agenda highlighted in our protocols on digital trade and on women and youth in trade. The idea is to empower MSMEs, women, youth, persons with disabilities, rural farmers and other actors to play a leading role in the economy by benefiting from AfCFTA initiatives. We are demonstrating our commitment to fostering digital inclusion and enabling MSMEs to expand trade through technology under the AfCFTA.”
The initiative specifically aims to translate AfCFTA’s policies into practical tools and opportunities for entrepreneurs, enabling them to fully benefit from a market of 1.4 billion consumers.
Three Modules for an Optimized Supply Chain
The training, offered in English, French, Arabic and Portuguese, is rooted in the continent’s economic reality and focuses on three key areas essential for logistics and commercial performance:
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Cross-Border Digital Commerce:
Developed in partnership with the AfCFTA Secretariat, this module is the most strategic for the logistics sector. It will teach entrepreneurs how to identify new markets, adapt their products, and—most importantly—manage payment and delivery logistics at the international level. This is a crucial step toward dismantling non-tariff barriers related to trade execution. -
AI for Productivity:
SMEs will learn to use tools such as Google Gemini to automate tasks (forecasting, inventory management), create targeted marketing content, and analyze customer data—enhancing operational efficiency and decision-making. -
Cloud for Small Businesses:
This module focuses on boosting efficiency and reducing costs through Cloud tools (Google Workspace, Google Cloud), which are essential for real-time collaboration and securing commercial data.
Continental Reach and Commitment
This partnership builds on the success of the Google Hustle Academy, which has already supported more than 18,000 African SMEs since 2022. The rollout of the new program will be delivered by UpSkill Universe, a well-recognized digital skills organization.
“By focusing on key areas such as AI, e-commerce, and cross-border trade, we are building a more connected and more prosperous digital ecosystem across the continent,” said Charles Murito, Google’s Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy for Sub-Saharan Africa.
Eligibility and Application Information
Applications for the program are now open. The initiative targets SMEs that have been operating for at least six months and are based in selected AfCFTA member states, including Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Cameroon, Senegal, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Rwanda, Mauritius, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Namibia, Zambia, Angola, Mozambique, Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco.
Training is set to begin in November 2025 and will run across 25 cohorts until June 2026.
Interested SMEs can find more information and submit their applications via the following link:
https://apo-opa.co/47MJNY8
By equipping 7,500 SMEs with cutting-edge skills, AfCFTA and Google are not just training businesses—they are laying the foundation for a more resilient, competitive, and integrated African Supply Chain.
