In a significant development for digital education, Microsoft South Africa has partnered with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) to enhance access to artificial intelligence (AI) fluency and digital skills training via SABC’s digital platform. This initiative was revealed during the 2026 Microsoft AI Tour held in Johannesburg.
The partnership is part of Microsoft Elevate, a skills development program that equips individuals and organisations for a future driven by AI. It builds on the AI Skills Initiative, launched in 2025, during which Microsoft committed to training 1 million South Africans by 2026. Since the launch, Microsoft has engaged with 4 million learners, trained 1.4 million individuals, and issued credentials to nearly 500,000 people.
The collaboration between Microsoft and SABC aims to democratise access to digital skills nationwide. Microsoft emphasises that AI and data expertise are increasingly crucial for employability. A report from the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs 2025 identifies AI and data skills as some of the fastest-growing areas through 2030. Furthermore, LinkedIn’s data indicates a 25% year-over-year increase in AI hiring, with job postings requiring AI literacy rising by 70%, transcending traditional technical roles.
Microsoft and SABC plan to incorporate AI fluency modules, modern digital literacy resources, and co-branded digital badges into SABC Plus, which boasts over 1.9 million registered users, with approximately 25% actively engaged. This platform will enable learners to access on-demand educational content, undertake assessments, and earn recognised credentials to boost employability.
“AI offers a powerful pathway to opportunity. In collaboration with SABC, we strive to embed digital and AI competencies into the everyday lives of millions of South Africans,” stated Tiara Pathon, Microsoft’s Elevate AI Skills Director for South Africa. She added that the program aims to provide practical learning pathways for students, educators, and job seekers alike.
Vukani Mngxati, CEO of Microsoft South Africa, remarked that the partnership is designed to broaden access to skills, enhance employability, and empower communities through device-based learning at home. Microsoft believes this initiative aligns with national goals of narrowing the digital divide, preparing youth for future workforce demands, and promoting inclusive participation in an AI-driven economy.
According to Microsoft’s AI Diffusion Report, AI adoption in South Africa has grown from 19.3% in the first half of 2025 to 21.1% in the second half, marking an increase of 1.8 percentage points. Globally, generative AI tools now reach 16.3% of the population, up from 15.1%. The report highlights a disparity in adoption rates, with the Global North advancing nearly twice as quickly as the Global South, underscoring the necessity of inclusive skill-building programs.
Lungile Binza, COO of SABC, commented that this partnership reinforces the broadcaster’s commitment to its public mandate of informing, educating, and empowering citizens through accessible digital learning and industry-relevant skills development.
The memorandum of understanding builds on several existing Microsoft Elevate programs in South Africa, including Ikamva Digital for TVET colleges, ElevateHer, which focuses on women in technology, Civic AI for non-profits, and the Youth Employment Service 50K Certification Programme, which offers free Microsoft certification exam vouchers to young individuals.
By joining forces, Microsoft and SABC are dedicated to ensuring that opportunities for AI and digital skills training are accessible to everyone, regardless of their geography, background, or income, thereby expanding practical pathways for future employment.
