Microsoft and SABC Partner for AI Skills in South Africa

Microsoft South Africa and the SABC (SABC) have announced a partnership to provide AI fluency and digital skills training to millions of South Africans through the SABC Plus digital platform. This collaboration, unveiled at the 2026 Microsoft AI Tour Johannesburg, is driven by Microsoft Elevate, an initiative aimed at equipping individuals and organizations with skills for an AI-driven economy. Building on Microsoft's AI Skills Initiative, which has already trained 1.4 million individuals, the partnership will integrate AI fluency modules, refresh digital literacy pathways, and introduce co-branded digital badges on SABC Plus. The initiative addresses the growing demand for AI-related skills, as highlighted by the World Economic Forum and Microsoft===LinkedIn, and aligns with South Africa's national priorities to close the digital divide and prepare its youth for the future workforce. Key figures like Tiara Pathon, Vukani Mngxati, and Lungile Binza emphasized the program's potential to democratize AI skills and empower communities.