ASCI
Building Africa's next generation of AI talent, one campus at a time.
The AI Student Campus Initiative (ASCI) is Afrique AI Lab's pan-African student AI network, connecting students across African universities to AI literacy, practical skills, leadership opportunities, responsible AI conversations, and innovation.
From AI Launchpad Student Fellowship to AI Student Campus Initiative (ASCI)
ASCI grew from the AI Launchpad Fellowship, an Afrique AI Lab programme that brought together emerging African AI talent from across the continent.
The response showed us what is possible when students have access to structured AI learning, mentorship, community, and opportunities to build.
663
Applications
22
African countries
42
Students onboarded
27
Completed core milestones
6
AI prototypes developed
From health and agriculture to climate, education, governance, and finance, students moved from learning about AI to exploring how it can be applied to real challenges.
ASCI is the next step: moving from a fellowship to a sustained student AI ecosystem across African campuses.
What ASCI Does
ASCI gives students a structured pathway to learn, build, lead, and engage with AI.
Learn
Develop AI literacy and practical skills through masterclasses, guided learning, and technical sessions.
Build
Work on projects, challenges, and prototypes that connect AI to real-world problems.
Lead
Build and lead AI communities within your campus and connect with students across Africa.
Engage
Explore the social, ethical, policy, and governance questions shaping AI in Africa.
Where We're Going
Africa's AI future will require more than technical talent.
It will require students who understand AI, can build with it, can question how it is used, and can help shape the systems and policies around it.
ASCI is building that pipeline across African higher education.
- AI literacy
- Practical skills
- Student leadership
- Innovation and responsible AI engagement
ASCI Across Africa
ASCI connects students through a growing network of participating universities, campus communities, and a continent-wide virtual learning and engagement programme.
Through the network, students can access:
Quarterly AI Masterclasses
Deep learning sessions with practitioners, researchers, and industry experts.
AI Policy & Society Forums
Structured conversations on AI, ethics, governance, data, and society.
Developers & Builders Sessions
Practical spaces for students to learn, share projects, and build.
Campus Challenges & Innovation
Opportunities to turn ideas into projects and prototypes.
Annual AI Student Convenings
Spaces for students across the network to connect, showcase their work, and learn from one another.
Who Is ASCI For?
Students
Build AI knowledge, skills, projects, and leadership experience.
Universities
Create stronger pathways for student AI learning, innovation, and responsible technology engagement.
Partners & Sponsors
Support the development of Africa's emerging AI talent through learning, mentorship, technology, research, and innovation opportunities.
Follow ASCI
Follow the AI Student Campus Initiative for programme updates, student opportunities, campus activities, and announcements.
Join the Next Generation of African AI Talent
The next ASCI application cycle is coming soon.
Universities, Partners & Sponsors
Interested in bringing ASCI to your institution or supporting the growth of the network? For partnerships, sponsorships, and further enquiries:
afriqueailab@gmail.com