Here is what happened in AI in Africa this week:
1. UniPodsAI Solutions for Africa Program 2026 — Fully Funded 12-Month Innovation Journey
📌 African students, graduates, and early-stage innovators can apply for a fully-funded 12-month AI training and innovation program focused on building real AI solutions tailored to African problems. This opportunity includes mentorship, hands-on development experience, and an innovation journey designed to empower tech talent. https://msmeafricaonline.com/call-for-applications-unipods-ai-solutions-for-african-program-2026-fully-funded-12-month-ai-innovation-journey/
2. AI Ventures Accelerator — $10,000 Equity-Free Seed Funding for Female-Led Startups
📌 Female-led African startups are invited to apply for the AI Ventures Accelerator, a free 12-week program that supports teams of young women to build and scale AI-enabled ventures. Selected teams will receive business and technical acceleration plus a chance to win US $10,000 in seed funding. https://disruptafrica.com/2026/02/18/female-led-african-startups-invited-to-apply-for-10k-ai-ventures-accelerator/
3. African Union Digital & Innovation FellowshipProgramme— Open Call (Deadline 1 Mar 2026)
📌 Applications are now open for the African Union’s Digital & Innovation Fellowship (Cohort 3), a 12-month immersive program that embeds Africa’s top technical talent within AU institutions to co-develop data-driven and technology solutions advancing the AU Digital Transformation Strategy. https://www2.fundsforngos.org/innovation/open-call-digital-innovation-fellowship-programme/
4. Connect NextGen Hackathon — Nigeria’s Innovation Challenge (Apply by 10 Mar 2026)
📌 Powered by Ericsson, the Federal Government of Nigeria, and Tech Revolution Africa, the Connect NextGen Hackathon is open for early-stage startups building tech solutions. Participants go through an intensive program with mentorship, networking, and a chance to pitch at a demo day. https://ericssonhackathon.techrevolutionafrica.org/
5. Tech Skills & Free AI Scholarships —AiTechifiedPrograms
📌 Young Africans can apply for 100% free AI & tech scholarships through AiTechified, featuring 4-week intensive programs in AI web development, AI app development, and AI-powered content production — with mentorship and job-ready skills training. https://aitechified.com/