Google has partnered with GOMYCODE to launch “Build with AI,” an 11-week program that will train 1,000 Nigerian developers in generative artificial intelligence. Applications opened this week for what could become Africa’s largest AI skills program.
Nigeria raised over $400 million in startup funding in 2024. Now Google wants to supercharge that growth with AI expertise.
Nigerian Developers Get Access to Google’s Most Advanced AI Tools
The program centers on hands-on training with Gemini, Google’s most sophisticated AI platform. Developers will learn to build real applications, not just theoretical knowledge.
John Kimani, Head of Developer Ecosystem for Google in Sub-Saharan Africa, calls this Nigeria’s “technological renaissance.” The country’s developer community exceeds 500,000 professionals, making it Africa’s largest tech talent pool.
Participants will work in GOMYCODE‘s hackerspace network across Lagos, Abuja, and other major cities. The approach blends in-person instruction with mentored lab work, ensuring developers can immediately apply new skills to actual projects.
“This approach ensures that the training is both accessible and practical, allowing developers to immediately apply their learning to real-world projects,” Kimani explained.
Fintech, Healthtech, and Agritech Solutions Take Center Stage
The curriculum targets three key sectors where Nigeria already shows global leadership. In fintech, developers will build AI-powered fraud detection systems and credit scoring models for Africa’s underbanked populations.
Healthcare applications include medical diagnosis tools and telemedicine solutions, critical for a continent facing massive healthcare infrastructure gaps.
Agricultural AI will focus on crop monitoring, climate adaptation, and supply chain optimization. With Africa needing to feed a growing population, these tools could have continental impact.
Nigerian fintech companies like Paystack and Flutterwave already serve global markets. Google’s betting that AI-trained developers will create the next wave of globally competitive African tech companies.
GOMYCODE Brings Proven Track Record to Partnership
GOMYCODE operates hackerspaces across multiple African markets, with established programs in Nigeria’s tech hubs. The company’s model combines intensive bootcamp-style training with ongoing community support.
Babatunde Olaifa, GOMYCODE’s Country Director, says the partnership brings “world-class curriculum and technology directly to Nigerian developers.” The company already runs 20-week software development programs that cost significantly less than international alternatives.
Their hackerspace approach has produced developers now working at major tech companies across Africa and internationally. The collaborative learning environment fosters the peer-to-peer mentorship that has proven crucial for developer success in emerging markets.
Nigeria’s AI Strategy Extends Beyond Individual Training
This program connects to Nigeria’s broader AI development strategy. The government launched a N100 million AI Fund in collaboration with Google earlier this year, supporting 10 Nigerian startups building AI-powered solutions.
The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy received N2.8 billion in Google.org funding to advance AI talent development nationwide. This “Build with AI” program represents one piece of that larger investment.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu met with Google CEO Sundar Pichai in February to discuss positioning Nigeria as Africa’s tech leader. The conversations covered AI, cloud infrastructure, and digital expansion across the continent.
Developer Applications Open as Competition Heats Up
The program accepts applications from developers nationwide, regardless of experience level. Given Google’s investment and GOMYCODE’s selective standards, competition will be intense.
The 11-week program concludes with a demo day where top participants present AI-powered solutions to Google executives and industry leaders. This could provide direct access to funding and mentorship opportunities.
Interested developers can apply through the program portal, though specific selection criteria haven’t been detailed. Previous GOMYCODE programs have emphasized practical skills and genuine interest in solving African challenges over academic credentials.
AI Skills Gap Creates Massive Opportunity
Despite hosting Africa’s largest developer community, Nigeria faces an AI skills shortage that limits tech company growth. Most developers lack experience with generative AI tools that are reshaping software development globally.
Traditional computer science education hasn’t kept pace with AI advancement. The gap between raw programming talent and AI specialization creates bottlenecks for companies wanting to implement intelligent features.
Google’s program addresses this gap by training developers to think “AI-first”, viewing artificial intelligence as a fundamental component rather than an add-on feature. This could accelerate innovation across Nigeria’s entire tech ecosystem.
Program Success Could Scale Across Africa
Nigeria’s program serves as a pilot for potential expansion across sub-Saharan Africa. Google already operates developer programs in Kenya, South Africa, and Ghana, creating infrastructure for continent-wide AI training.
Success in Nigeria would provide a model for training thousands of African developers in AI skills. The continent’s diverse challenges require locally-developed solutions.
African developers who master AI tools could create solutions that work well in other emerging markets globally. This creates potential for African tech companies to compete internationally, not just serve local markets.
