The IPADA Initiative, founded by Otunba Olawanle Akinboboye, is set to transform the future of Africa with an ambitious partnership involving the Vanuatu Trade Commission and the African Diaspora Central Bank (ADCB). This collaboration aims to provide advanced AI training to 5 million Africans, preparing the continent to compete on the global stage in artificial intelligence and digital transformation.

H.E. Prof. Dr. Hugh Aryee, the Vanuatu Trade Commissioner to Ghana, expressed his excitement in a recent announcement, noting the program’s potential to elevate Africa’s standing in AI. Through this initiative, 5 million participants will gain critical AI skills over a year, with 5,000 selected participants to kick off the program at the IPADA Carnival with an intensive three-day training.

Each participant will receive an AKL Lumi parity value of $100 upon completion and will be added to a learning management system to access continuous learning and career opportunities. With training costs for AI skills often reaching $1,000 per person, the IPADA Initiative opens doors to knowledge that would otherwise be financially inaccessible for many across Africa.

Otunba Akinboboye expressed profound appreciation to Dr. Aryee and the government of Vanuatu for supporting this initiative. He emphasized the groundbreaking potential of this collaboration to uplift both Vanuatu and Africa, fostering mutual growth and development.

Highlighting the deeper cultural mission of the IPADA Initiative, Dr. Aryee described the IPADA Carnival as a “homecoming” for the African diaspora, celebrating unity, heritage, and shared progress. This event, to be held at La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, will span ten days, offering people of African descent worldwide a unique opportunity to reconnect with their roots.