Ghana targets 30,000 AI professionals through Japan partnership

The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Sam George, has held discussions with a delegation from Japan’s University of Tokyo on a proposed partnership to provide structured artificial intelligence (AI) and data science training for Ghanaian students.

The engagement, held on Monday, December 22, 2025, focused on the Resource Development in AI/Data Science for Africa’s Economic Growth Initiative, an intervention led by the Matsuo Laboratory of the University of Tokyo.

The programme seeks to build Africa’s capacity in artificial intelligence by expanding the Global Consumer Intelligence (GCI) initiative to the continent.

Under the plan, the initiative aims to train about 30,000 AI professionals across Africa over the next three years, in collaboration with African universities and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

In Ghana, discussions centred on delivering the programme online in English, with a focus on students in public universities and selected secondary schools. The training is expected to equip participants with practical digital skills, with certification linked to employability in the technology sector.

The talks also explored opportunities for entrepreneurship support in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as well as employment pathways through collaborations between Japanese companies and local start-ups, to be facilitated by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JACCI).

Mr. George reaffirmed the government’s commitment to forging strategic international partnerships aimed at equipping young Ghanaians with future-ready digital skills and strengthening the country’s participation in the global AI and digital ecosystem.

The delegation from the University of Tokyo was led by Professor Yutaka Matsuo, and included Mr. Watanabe Masashi and Madam Erin Hirakawa.