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Africa’s Talking, in collaboration with Google, presents LaunchPad: Generative AI + APIs for Innovation - a groundbreaking developer program designed to upskill and inspire developers across Sub-Saharan Africa.

This immersive learning journey blends Google Cloud’s Generative AI expertise with the power of Africa’s Talking APIs, guiding participants through 10 comprehensive modules, assignments, and a capstone project. The program moves from foundational cloud and AI concepts into advanced frameworks, API integrations, and offline-ready solutions—helping developers build impactful, production-ready applications for real-world challenges.

By the end, participants will have worked on hands-on assignments, collaborated with peers, and built a portfolio-ready project that showcases their ability to combine Generative AI with APIs for innovation across industries. Find all modules and resources attached below.

Get ready for a program full of up-skilling and knowledge! 

Pre - requisite:

• Basic programming skills (Python, NodeJs and Java)

• Basic understanding of what an AI Agent is (Difference between LLM and AI Agents)

• Learner must be familiar with cloud computing concepts

• Create a developer profile to be able to claim badge

• Set up Google Cloud Console

• Create your Africa's Talking Developer Account to use AT Products

• Join the Slack channel: #at-google-ai-ml

• NB: Google cloud credits will be provided at the workshops

Account Setup

• Create a Google Developer Profile (for badges & credentials)

• Set up Google Cloud Console (access to AI tools)

• Create an Africa’s Talking Developer Account (API access)

Introduction and Module 1 Key Links

• Kick-off link: Setting up on Google Cloud and Getting Started

• Module 1 Introductory link: Building an App with Gemini API 

Collaboration Access

• Join the official Slack channel: #at-google-ai-ml

• Confirm access to program resources and documentation

Note: Google Cloud Credits will be provided during the in-person workshops.

Daily Events Breakdown

Day 1: Messaging at Scale - SMS, Airtime & Data APIs

Day 1 is a hands-on deep dive into Africa’s Talking Messaging, Airtime, and Data APIs. This session introduces developers to building reliable, scalable communication workflows using SMS for notifications, Airtime for incentives, and Data Bundles for user engagement. You’ll explore real-world use cases such as user onboarding, transactional alerts, and reward-based engagement systems.

Takeaways:

• How to send and manage SMS at scale

• How to programmatically send Airtime and Data bundles

• Best practices for reliable messaging and user engagement

Day 2: Interactive Experiences - USSD, Voice & Insights

This session focuses on building interactive user experiences using USSD, Voice, and Insights APIs. You’ll learn how to design menu-driven USSD flows, automate voice interactions, and analyze communication data to improve system performance and user experience.

Takeaways:

• How to design dynamic USSD flows

• How to automate voice interactions

• How to use Insights for monitoring and optimization

Day 3: Foundations: Google Cloud & Generative AI (Modules 1-4)

Day 3 introduces the Google side of the program, covering Google Cloud fundamentals, Generative AI concepts, and Gemini for end-to-end SDLC. You’ll explore how modern AI fits into cloud-native software development and how SDKs enable rapid AI integration.

Takeaways:

• Core concepts of Google Cloud and Generative AI

• How Gemini fits into the SDLC

• How to use Generative AI SDKs and APIs

Day 4: Advanced AI & APIs - Modules 5-7 & Googler Presentation

This day advances into advanced API integrations, Generative AI frameworks, and Google Cloud ML & AI APIs. You’ll learn how to combine multiple services to build more sophisticated, production-ready AI applications.

Takeaways:

• How to use advanced Generative AI frameworks

• How to integrate Google Cloud ML & AI APIs

• How to structure scalable AI-powered applications

Day 5: Agentic Systems & Projects - Modules 8-10,  Project , Googler Presentation

Day 5 focuses on agentic systems, Africa’s Talking integrated applications, and local/offline AI solutions. You’ll explore how AI agents reason, act, and interact with APIs, then apply these concepts directly to your project.

Takeaways:

• How to design and deploy agentic systems

• How to integrate AI with Africa’s Talking APIs

• How to build solutions that work locally and offline

Day 6: Demo Day - Project Presentations & Googler Presentation

The final day is a showcase and learning celebration. Participants present their projects, followed by technical and career-focused talks from Googlers, sharing insights on AI, cloud, and developer growth.

Takeaways:

• Experience presenting technical projects

• Feedback from peers and experts

• Insights into AI careers, best practices, and industry trends

Why Attend

• Over $5000 to be won: 3 winners every key city and 1 overall winner from any city

• Hands-On Innovation: Learn by building real-world AI and API-powered projects.

• Portfolio-Ready Work: Complete assignments and a capstone project to showcase your skills.

• Expert Guidance: Access Google Cloud trainers and Africa’s Talking engineers.

• Pan-African Collaboration: Connect with fellow developers from across Sub-Saharan Africa.

• Career Growth: Gain exposure to tools, frameworks, and communities that open new opportunities.

Target Attendees

• Developers across Sub-Saharan Africa passionate about AI and APIs

• Software engineers, backend/frontend developers, and data scientists

• University students and graduates in STEM fields

• Startup founders and entrepreneurs building tech solutions

• Professionals seeking to expand into Generative AI and API-driven innovation

Looking Ahead: Program Timeline

• Kickoff
  Introduction to program
  Module 1: Google Cloud & Generative AI Fundamentals
  Module 2: Foundations of APIs & Africa’s Talking Core Services

• Week 1 – Virtual Learning
  Module 3: Gemini for End-to-End SDLC + Build an App with Gemini API
  Module 4: Generative AI SDKs & API Integrations (start)

• Week 2 – Virtual Learning
  Module 4: API integrations (continuation)
  Module 5: Advanced Africa’s Talking APIs (start)

• Week 3 – Virtual Learning
  Module 5: Advanced Africa’s Talking APIs (continuation)
  Module 6: Building Generative AI Applications with Specific Frameworks + Assignment

Assignment: Creative Generative AI Applications

• Week 4 – Virtual Learning
  Module 7 (Part 1): Leveraging Google Cloud ML and AI APIs

• Week 5 – Virtual Learning
  Module 7 (Part 2): Leveraging Google Cloud ML and AI APIs (Continuation)

• Week 6 – Virtual + Physical Meetup
  Module 8: Developing & Deploying Agentic Systems (Lab 1, Lab 2, Lab 3, Lab 4, Lab 5) + Assignment
  Mid-program recap + assignment review
  Module 9 Intro: Africa’s Talking Integrated Applications

• Week 7 – Virtual Learning
  Module 9: Africa's Talking Integrated Applications (start)

• Week 8 – Virtual Learning
  Module 9: Africa's Talking Integrated Applications (continuation)

• Week 9 – Virtual Learning
  Module 10: Local and Offline AI Solutions (start)

• Week 10 – Virtual Learning
  Module 10: Local and Offline AI Solutions with labs (continuation)

New to Africa's Talking? Get started here.

Publish on Africa's Talking Marketplace

• Marketplace : Get Call Back as a Service and Publish your plugin/app for our customer.

• Developer Documentation (We welcome feedback)

Gigs:

We would love to reach out to you so that you can build for our customers, please fill out this form with details to ensure we have your details:

GIG/HACK DEVELOPER PORTFOLIO FORM

Join community channels:

Slack:

• Join Africa's Talking slack community here

Please follow our Twitter handle too:

• @AfricasTalking

You can get our videos, recaps, and event interviews on our YouTube channel, subscribe to get updates:

• Africa's Talking YouTube Channel

Africa's Talking community allows developers to learn skills for the modern-day African Developer. We are language and framework agnostic. All developers are welcome. This is where Africa's Talking developers community meets to build, learn and exchange knowledge.

We are helping software developers and businesses to bring their ideas to life through easy-to-use APIs easily.

Would you like to partner with us? Kindly contact the Developer Experience Team.