African youth are set to gain critical science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) and artificial intelligence (AI) skills following the launch of the 2026 ExxonMobil Foundation STEM Africa Programme.
The initiative, a partnership between non-profit Junior Achievement (JA) Africa and the ExxonMobil Foundation, targets 4 000 students aged 14 to 17.
The programme builds on a partnership that has already reached more than 10 000 young people across Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, and Nigeria.
STEM Africa 2.0 integrates AI learning pathways to prepare students for a digital economy, according to JA Africa. The launch comes as Africa's youth population grows while access to digital skills remains limited.
By combining hands-on learning, mentorship, and real-world problem-solving, the programme positions young people to participate in emerging sectors such as energy, sustainability, and digital innovation.
Through a structured, four-phase learning experience, participants engage in STEM and AI quizzes, zonal competitions, national innovation camps, and a final continental showcase at the Africa Energy Week conference in October.
These experiences move beyond classroom theory, enabling students to develop practical solutions to challenges while building confidence and critical thinking skills, the organisation said.
By integrating AI literacy into secondary school STEM education, the programme addresses global workforce trends. It also strengthens the connection between education and employability, exposing participants to career pathways in high-growth sectors.
“The future of Africa will be shaped by the ideas, ingenuity, and leadership of its young people,” said Simi Nwogugu, president and CEO of JA Africa. “Through STEM Africa 2.0, we are not only strengthening STEM competencies but also opening pathways into AI and innovation. This is about ensuring that young people across the continent are prepared to lead, create, and solve problems that matter, both locally and globally.”
Alvin Abraham, president of the ExxonMobil Foundation, added: “We believe that investing in young people is one of the most powerful ways to drive long-term economic growth and resilience. By supporting STEM Africa 2.0, we are helping to bridge the skills gap and enabling young people to engage with emerging technologies that will define the future of work.”
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