AI Academy Kenya
Build bold AI Solutions for Kenya
The AI Academy Kenya is Meta's flagship capacity-building program designed to equip Kenyan students, professionals, small business owners and startups with practical AI skills and tools. The program combines a startup competition and AI masterclasses to develop the next generation of AI talent in Kenya.
To deliver the AI Academy Kenya, Meta has partnered with This Is Digital to upskill 300 students, startups and career professionals from across Kenya.
- $5,000 EQUITY-FREE FUNDING
- PITCHATHON WINNERS · NEURAL LABS · ME-NASOMA
- META AI SUMMIT · ISTANBUL · NOVEMBER 2026
- MASTERCLASS APPLICATIONS CLOSED · STARTS 3 NOVEMBER
8 WEEKS · ONLINE · STARTS 3 NOVEMBER
Meta's AI Academy Kenya Masterclass
THE AI MASTERCLASS CURRICULUM WILL COVER
- AI Fundamentals and Prompt Engineering
- AI for Research & Knowledge Work
- Creative AI - Images and Presentations
- AI for Documents, Reporting and Communication
- AI for Audio & Video Content
- AI for Productivity & Workflow Automation
- Responsible AI, Governance & Ethics
Are you a Kenyan student, startup founder, career professional or developer looking to expand your AI skills? This 8-week online Masterclass runs every Tuesday evening from 3 November. 300 places. Applications closed on 15 October 2026; shortlisted candidates are contacted by 23 October and accepted candidates on or before 30 October.
THIS IS OPEN TO
- Students
- Startups
- Developers
- Career professionals
FOR STARTUPS & DEVELOPERS
AI Academy Kenya Pitchathon
Pitch day took place in Nairobi on 16 October 2026. The winners: Neural Labs Africa and Me-Nasoma.
Ten shortlisted Kenyan startups pitched their solutions live in Nairobi on 16 October 2026. Neural Labs Africa and Me-Nasoma each won US$5,000 in equity-free funding, Meta advertising credits and an invitation to Meta's AI Summit in Istanbul in November 2026.
The winners get three things: capital, visibility, and a route to a wider investor and partner audience.
WHAT WINNERS GET
FAQS
Frequently asked questions
What is AI Academy Kenya?
The AI Academy Kenya is Meta's flagship capacity-building program designed to equip Kenyan students, professionals, small business owners and startups with practical AI skills and tools. The program combines a startup competition and AI masterclasses to develop the next generation of AI talent in Kenya. To deliver the AI Academy Kenya, we have partnered with one of Africa's top AI Accelerator, This Is Digital to upskill students, startups and career professionals from across Kenya.
What is the AI Academy Kenya Pitchathon?
AI Academy Kenya Pitchathon was an opportunity for Kenyan startups and developers building innovative solutions with Meta's AI technologies to pitch their solutions live in Nairobi on 16 October 2026, competing for $5,000 in equity-free funding and an invitation to pitch at Meta's AI Summit in Istanbul in November 2026. The winners get: capital, visibility, and a route to a wider investor and partner audience.
Who could apply to the Pitchathon?
Applications were open to Kenyan developers, startups, and teams building AI solutions using Meta's AI technologies, with an early-stage AI idea or a working AI product. Applications closed on 30 September 2026.
Who won the Pitchathon?
Ten shortlisted startups pitched live in Nairobi on 16 October 2026. Neural Labs and Me-Nasoma won; each receives US$5,000 in equity-free funding, Meta advertising credits and an invitation to Meta's AI Summit in Istanbul in November 2026. The finalists were Neural Labs Africa (NeuralSight), Me-Nasoma, Jackfruit Network (School Needs Recommender), Utter Africa, Tembotrade, JuaFlow, HakiChain, Solivia Data (AfyaEdge), John Digital Solutions (Sawazisha AI) and O.C.A. (Offline Claims Audit).
What are the benefits of participating?
Selected startups will have the opportunity to:
- Pitch live in Nairobi, Kenya.
- Gain exposure to investors and the broader innovation ecosystem
- Compete for equity-free funding and Meta advertising credits
- Be considered for participation in Meta's Regional AI Summit in Istanbul, Türkiye, in November 2026
What do the winning startups receive?
The top two pitchathon winners will each receive:
- US$5,000 in equity-free funding
- Meta advertising credits
- An invitation to attend Meta's Regional AI Summit in Istanbul, Türkiye, in November 2026
Can I still apply for the Masterclass?
No — applications closed on 15 October 2026 at 23:59 EAT. Shortlisted candidates are contacted by 23 October and accepted candidates on or before 30 October. The Masterclass starts on Tuesday 3 November, online.
Who do I contact for more questions?
If you have additional questions, please contact us using the contact the organiser link below.
If you have additional questions, please contact the organiser.
META × THIS IS DIGITAL
Masterclass applications closed on 15 October 2026.
Shortlisted candidates hear from us by 23 October; the Masterclass starts online on Tuesday 3 November.