OpenAI expands presence in Africa with launch of first OpenAI Academy in Lagos

AIHigher Education

24 Oct

OpenAI has announced its first OpenAI Academy in Africa, hosted in partnership with the University of Lagos and led by Africa Lead Emmanuel Lubanzadio, alongside the rollout of ChatGPT Go across the continent.

OpenAI is extending its education and training initiatives to Africa with the launch of the OpenAI Academy, a new learning and collaboration program aimed at advancing equitable access to artificial intelligence across the region.

The news was shared by Emmanuel Lubanzadio, Africa Lead at OpenAI, who took to social media to confirm that the company’s first OpenAI Academy in Africa will be hosted at the University of Lagos.

“I’m in Lagos this week to host Africa’s first OpenAI Academy, in collaboration with the University of Lagos under the theme ‘Equitable Partnerships and the Future of AI in Africa,’” Lubanzadio wrote.

Launched in 2024, the OpenAI Academy forms part of the company’s broader mission to make AI accessible to everyone, combining research collaboration, policy discussion, and education-focused partnerships.

Lubanzadio thanked Professor Babatunde Sawyerr and Professor Ismail Ibraheem for their partnership and support in organizing the inaugural event.

University of Lagos partners with OpenAI for inaugural program

The OpenAI Academy’s Lagos launch coincided with the University of Lagos International Week, an event that promotes global collaboration and research exchange. Lubanzadio shared images from the announcement, noting that more details about the initiative’s long-term goals will follow.

The academy’s focus on “equitable partnerships” aligns with OpenAI’s growing engagement in policy and education initiatives in emerging AI markets. Lubanzadio, who previously led policy and government affairs for Africa at Twitter, emphasized the importance of inclusive growth through collaboration.

He wrote that the initiative “reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring that AI’s benefits are shared broadly, reaching people and communities everywhere.”

ChatGPT Go expands across Africa

Alongside the announcement, Lubanzadio confirmed that ChatGPT Go, OpenAI’s lower-cost subscription tier powered by GPT-5, is now rolling out across Africa. The plan is designed to make advanced AI tools more affordable, with pricing around 75 percent lower than the next subscription level.

Alex Nawar, who leads OpenAI Academy, also took to social media to share the update, writing that “OpenAI Academy is coming to Africa — led by Emmanuel Lubanzadio in collaboration with the University of Lagos.”

Both announcements mark a significant step in OpenAI’s strategy to strengthen its footprint in education, research, and accessibility across the continent.