AU-Africon partnership boosts AI capacity building in Accra

The African Union has taken another significant step toward building institutional readiness for artificial intelligence, hosting its second in-person AI capacity-building programme in Accra, in partnership with Africon – a Ghana-based AI training and consulting firm.

The one-day training, held in Accra, brought together nearly 70 African Union professionals from over 20 African countries, spanning finance, human resources, procurement, administration, peace and security, and other strategic units. Participants were trained under two concurrent learning tracks – a foundational track for first-time participants and an advanced track for those who had attended a similar programme in October, ensuring continuity and depth in learning.

The programme focused on practical application of artificial intelligence in public sector operations, with sessions covering AI fundamentals, advanced prompt engineering, decision support for finance and policy work, workflow optimisation, responsible AI use and leadership-driven AI adoption. The participants further engaged in hands-on group assignments built around real African Union use cases, reinforcing immediate applicability beyond the classroom.

Speaking on the importance of the initiative, Mrs. Edith Akorfa Akua Lumor, Finance Director of the African

Union and a participant in both the October and December training sessions, highlighted the strategic value of continuous learning. “Artificial intelligence is no longer optional for institutions like the African Union. What is important is not just access to AI tools, but the capacity to use them responsibly, strategically and in ways that strengthen accountability and decision-making. This training has provided practical insights that our teams can apply immediately across our work.”

The second Accra-based training underscores the African Union’s deliberate investment in AI education for its workforce, positioning the organisation to respond effectively to the growing role of AI in governance, finance, peace and security, and development planning.

By prioritising structured AI capacity building, the African Union is setting a benchmark for institutional preparedness on the continent.

For Africon, the successful delivery of the programme further cements its position as one of Africa’s emerging leaders in AI training and organisational transformation, trusted by continental institutions to deliver context-relevant, high-impact AI education aligned with African realities.

As artificial intelligence increasingly shapes public sector decision-making and service delivery, African Union member-states are encouraged to emulate this initiative, investing in similar AI training programmes to empower public servants, strengthen institutional effectiveness and ensure responsible AI adoption across government systems.

The post AU-Africon partnership boosts AI capacity building in Accra appeared first on The Business & Financial Times.

Read Full Story