Japan has unveiled a sweeping plan to train 30,000 artificial intelligence specialists across Africa within the next three years, a move aimed at accelerating digital transformation, creating jobs, and fostering innovation on the continent.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced the initiative at the opening of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-9), attended by leaders from more than 50 African nations, including Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Kenya’s President William Ruto.

“Japan’s goal is to support the training of 30,000 AI experts over the next three years to promote digitization and create jobs,” Ishiba said.

The program will roll out AI and data science courses at universities across Africa, beginning in Kenya and Uganda. Developed with University of Tokyo professor Yutaka Matsuo, one of Japan’s top AI researchers, the courses will emphasize applying AI to manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, and other high-impact industries. The initiative forms part of a broader effort to build Africa’s human capital, which also includes training 300,000 specialists in other digital and technical fields and 35,000 healthcare professionals.

Alongside the skills program, Japan pledged up to $7 billion in financial support. This includes $5.5 billion in loans for sustainable development through the African Development Bank and $1.5 billion in impact investments via the Japan International Cooperation Agency and private partners, targeting renewable energy and emissions reduction.

Tokyo also proposed creating a new “economic zone” linking Africa with the Indian Ocean to deepen trade integration, strengthen industrial growth, and improve supply chains.