Microsoft South Africa has partnered with The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) to bring AI and digital skills training directly to millions of people through its streaming platform, SABC Plus.
AI Learning Initiative
The collaboration will integrate Microsoft’s AI fluency and digital literacy programmes into SABC Plus, which has more than 1.9 million registered users. Learners will be able to access on-demand training sessions, complete assessments and earn co-branded digital credentials recognised by employers.
Microsoft & SABC launch AI learning initiative for 1.9M users in South Africa! #AIeducation #digitalskills
Microsoft Elevate
The initiative forms part of Microsoft Elevate, a global programme designed to democratise access to AI and cloud skills. It also builds on Microsoft’s AI Skills Initiative, launched in 2025, which includes a pledge to train one million South Africans in AI skills by 2026.
Tiara Pathon, director of Microsoft Elevate AI Skills for South Africa, said, “This initiative ensures that learners, educators and job seekers alike can access practical, credentialed pathways that prepare them for tomorrow’s workforce.
Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert
Impact on Education
By embedding structured learning pathways into a widely used public platform, Microsoft and SABC aim to make AI education accessible regardless of geography or background. The refreshed digital literacy pathways and new AI modules will be delivered directly through SABC Plus, allowing users to build practical, job-ready skills from their homes or mobile devices.
Key takeaways
- AI Learning Initiative: Microsoft and SABC partner to bring AI training to 1.9 million users.
- Microsoft Elevate: Global programme to democratise access to AI and cloud skills.
- Empowering Learners: Initiative aims to make AI education accessible regardless of geography or background.
Empowering Learners
“By partnering with SABC, we aim to embed digital and AI skills into the daily lives of millions of South Africans,” said Tiara Pathon, director of Microsoft Elevate AI Skills for South Africa. “This initiative ensures that learners, educators and job seekers alike can access practical, credentialed pathways that prepare them for tomorrow’s workforce.”
By combining Microsoft’s AI skilling expertise with SABC’s national reach, the partnership aims to accelerate digital inclusion and prepare South Africa’s workforce for an AI-driven economy. Learn more about AI education and digital skills training
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References
- Microsoft - Official Website
- SABC - Official Website
