Google Hustle Academy Launches Free Programme to Scale African SMEs for AfCFTA Digital Trade

Google Hustle Academy has opened the application window for its new continent-wide initiative titled the AfCFTA Digital Inclusion and Entrepreneurship Programme, or ADIEP. This major training effort is specifically designed to enhance the competitive edge and scalability of African small businesses within the modern, technology-driven marketplace. The entire programme is offered completely free of charge to participants and aims to deliver essential digital skills training to a total of 7,500 small and medium-sized enterprises across the African continent. This initiative directly supports the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area. The entire curriculum is delivered through a convenient online format, ensuring accessibility across different linguistic groups, as the training is available in English, French, Arabic, and Portuguese. The comprehensive curriculum is structured around three core strategic pillars, all focused on strengthening small business growth potential and significantly improving regional trade readiness for these enterprises. The first pillar, focusing on Cross-Border Digital Trade, was developed in direct collaboration with the AfCFTA Secretariat. This module provides essential guidance to entrepreneurs on successfully entering new regional markets, effectively customizing product and service offerings for diverse customer bases, and efficiently managing the complex operational hurdles of cross-border transactions, including payments, logistics, and compliance with varying trade rules. The second track, Cloud Adoption for SMEs, introduces participants to highly practical cloud-based solutions designed to fundamentally boost business efficiency. Entrepreneurs will acquire knowledge on how to leverage tools from Google Workspace and Google Cloud to simultaneously reduce operational overheads, streamline internal administrative processes, and improve the overall productivity of their remote and in-office teams. The third strategic module centers on utilizing AI for Business Productivity. This training focuses on the practical application of artificial intelligence tools to simplify daily operations and accelerate overall commercial growth. Participants will explore how platforms such as Google Gemini can be used to automate repetitive administrative tasks, rapidly generate high-quality marketing content, and analyze complex customer data more effectively to enable superior, data-driven decision-making. To be eligible, applicants must be the operator of a registered small or medium-sized enterprise that has been operating for a minimum duration of six months. The business must also be physically located within one of the eligible AfCFTA member states, including major economies like Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, and Egypt, among others. Successful applicants must be available to participate in the training sessions scheduled to begin in November 2025, with the entire programme being delivered across 25 training cohorts that will run through June 2026. Participants are guaranteed to gain hands-on expertise in navigating the digital trade opportunities opened up by the AfCFTA. They will learn to leverage crucial AI and cloud technologies to optimize operations and pursue business expansion, while building a strong network of fellow African entrepreneurs and innovators.