InnoPower Africa and Luma Learn AI are collaborating to expand access to artificial intelligence (AI) tools and education across Africa, targeting one million learners.

Chris Folayan, co-founder and board chairman of Luma Learn AI, said in a statement by Remy Chukwunyere, director for Africa at the InnoPower Africa Foundation, on Friday.

Mr Folayan said the Nigeria-led initiative, recently inaugurated, aimed to deepen AI literacy and digital inclusion across the continent. He said the collaboration was driven by the urgency to ensure Africa benefited from the rapidly evolving global AI ecosystem.

According to him, Africa’s AI market is projected to reach between 16 billion dollars and 18 billion dollars by 2030.

Mr Folayan said nearly 40 per cent of Africans still lack reliable broadband access, highlighting gaps in digital infrastructure.

He warned that the delayed adoption of transformative technologies could widen development gaps and limit Africa’s global competitiveness.

“The platform aims to deliver free, personalised AI tutoring to underserved learners. It has already supported over 160,000 students and delivered more than 4.8 million learning sessions across 11 languages via WhatsApp.

“The goal is to reach one million children with accessible and inclusive AI-powered learning tools, and Luma was built for the learner who has been overlooked by every other system. Partnering with InnoPower means we can reach them faster and further than either of us could alone,” he said.

Emil Ekiyor, founder and CEO of InnoPower Africa, said the initiative would focus on structured access to AI tools and training.

“Africa is not waiting for technology to arrive; Africans are already the most active AI users in the world. What we need is structured access, training, and infrastructure. That is exactly what this partnership builds,” he said.

Mr Ekiyor said the programme would adopt a train-the-trainer model to equip professionals to support micro, small and medium enterprises.

He further said the initiative would integrate AI tools into training for educators and entrepreneurs across West Africa. According to him, InnoPower Africa currently partners with the ECOWAS Small Business Coalition to train 250 master trainers reaching 12,500 small businesses.

Mr Ekiyor said the organisation also worked with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund to train 100 master trainers supporting 5,000 entrepreneurs.

“The collaboration will leverage networks across the United States and West Africa to expand access and drive adoption. These efforts will include funding mobilisation, professional engagement and integration of AI tools into training programmes.

“We aim to raise an initial 250,000 dollars to scale access to AI learning tools across the ECOWAS subregion. The initiative will target students, teachers, families and MSMEs, with emphasis on practical AI applications,” he said.

According to Mr Ekiyor, timely investment in AI education and infrastructure will determine Africa’s position in the global digital economy.

(NAN)