Microsoft and SABC launch AI learning initiative for millions in South Africa

Educational programmes and assessments will be available through SABC Plus, a streaming platform with more tan 1.9 million registered users

By Alice Chambers | 02 February 2026

Microsoft South Africa has partnered with The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) to bring AI and digital skills training directly to millions of people through its streaming platform.

The collaboration will integrate Microsoft’s AI fluency and digital literacy programmes into SABC Plus, which has more than 1.9 million registered users. Learners will be able to access on-demand training sessions, complete assessments and earn co-branded digital credentials recognised by employers.

The initiative forms part of Microsoft Elevate, a global programme designed to democratise access to AI and cloud skills. It also builds on Microsoft’s AI Skills Initiative, launched in 2025, which includes a pledge to train one million South Africans in AI skills by 2026.

By embedding structured learning pathways into a widely used public platform, Microsoft and SABC aim to make AI education accessible regardless of geography or background. The refreshed digital literacy pathways and new AI modules will be delivered directly through SABC Plus, allowing users to build practical, job-ready skills from their homes or mobile devices.

“By partnering with SABC, we aim to embed digital and AI skills into the daily lives of millions of South Africans,” said Tiara Pathon, director of Microsoft Elevate AI Skills for South Africa. “This initiative ensures that learners, educators and job seekers alike can access practical, credentialed pathways that prepare them for tomorrow’s workforce.”

For SABC, the partnership aligns with its public service mandate to educate and empower citizens through accessible programming.

“As South Africa’s only public broadcaster, the SABC has a mandate to inform, educate, entertain and empower our citizens,” said Lungile Binza, chief operations officer at SABC. “SABC Plus, the biggest free to air internet-based platform in Africa, is a critical national platform for accessible educational programming. Integrating AI and digital content into SABC Plus, we are opening new opportunities and ensuring that innovation serves the public good.”

By combining Microsoft’s AI skilling expertise with SABC’s national reach, the partnership aims to accelerate digital inclusion and prepare South Africa’s workforce for an AI-driven economy.