ALX Ghana recently hosted a dynamic event at its Accra hub, gathering innovators, educators, and tech leaders to focus on developing Ghana’s next generation of digital talent. The event, themed “Driving Ghana’s Next Generation of Digital Talent,” drew participants from across the country’s digital ecosystem.
Richard Osei-Anim, Managing Partner of Coral Reef Innovation Africa, delivered a striking presentation that blended urgency with inspiration. He showcased a video demonstrating how artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming industries worldwide, from aviation and healthcare to agriculture and finance, warning that Africa risks being left behind. The video stated, “The jobs that we love, those jobs will be swept away over the next 20 to 30 years. AI can do it faster, cheaper, better than you can. All those jobs will be lost in time, like tears in rain.”
Osei-Anim’s message was not one of despair but a call to action. He challenged the audience to consider why Africa has yet to see significant investments in AI or large numbers of young people training as machine learning specialists and data scientists. He emphasized that digital transformation must begin at the margins, not just in urban centers and boardrooms. “It has to start in the villages, in special needs schools, on farms, and in homes where children still dream despite the odds,” he said.
Coral Reef’s work reflects this vision. In partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service, the organization has deployed tens of thousands of smart devices and established digital labs in primary and senior high schools across underserved communities. These initiatives have opened access to digital learning for children who previously had none. The organization’s strategy targets groups at the bottom of the pyramid, including girls, children with disabilities, and schools in remote areas.
In collaboration with the Otumfuo Foundation, Coral Reef has installed labs in schools in various regions, ensuring inclusion regardless of location or circumstance. Looking ahead, Coral Reef will launch a new learning solution called LearnAIrium on June 25. This initiative will offer devices bundled with curated content, internet access, and insurance, available through subscription or pay-as-you-go plans. It is supported by partners including Absa Bank, MTN, Coronation, and Old Mutual.
The initiative is also expanding beyond Ghana, with Coral Reef partnering with Access Bank to bring its model to Nigeria and Eswatini. This forms part of a broader effort to build a Pan-African platform for digital transformation. Osei-Anim stated that Coral Reef is committed to creating opportunities rather than waiting for them. “We are transforming forgotten communities into digital havens,” he said. “We are not waiting for ideal conditions—we are creating them.”
As AI continues to reshape the global economy, Coral Reef Innovation Africa is positioning itself as a leader in inclusive technology. Its work signals a shift in how Africa can prepare its youth for the future—through practical platforms, access, and opportunities rather than mere promises.
