JA Africa, with support from the ExxonMobil Foundation, has launched the 2026 ExxonMobil Foundation STEM Africa 2.0 programme aimed at equipping young Africans with science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), and artificial intelligence (AI) skills.
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The initiative is designed for students between the ages of 14 and 17 and will provide training opportunities for 4,000 additional young people across Africa as demand for digital and technology skills continues to rise globally.
According to JA Africa, the programme builds on an existing partnership with the ExxonMobil Foundation that has already impacted more than 10,000 young people in countries including Nigeria, Angola, Mozambique, and Namibia.
The organisation said STEM Africa 2.0 will combine practical STEM education with AI learning pathways to prepare students for future careers in sectors such as energy, sustainability, and digital innovation.
Participants in the programme will take part in a four-phase learning process that includes STEM and AI quizzes, zonal competitions, national innovation camps, and a continental showcase during the Africa Energy Week Conference.
JA Africa explained that the programme goes beyond classroom learning by encouraging students to solve real-world problems while developing collaboration, creativity, leadership, and critical thinking skills.
Speaking on the launch, President and CEO of JA Africa, Simi Nwogugu, said Africa’s future depends heavily on how well young people are prepared for emerging opportunities driven by technology and innovation.
“The future of Africa will be shaped by the ideas, ingenuity, and leadership of its young people,” she said.
“Through STEM Africa 2.0, we are not only strengthening STEM competencies but also opening pathways into artificial intelligence and innovation. This is about ensuring that young people across the continent are prepared to lead, create, and solve problems that matter, both locally and globally.”
President of the ExxonMobil Foundation, Alvin Abraham, also said investment in youth development remains important for Africa’s long-term economic growth and resilience.
“We believe that investing in young people is one of the most powerful ways to drive long-term economic growth and resilience,” Abraham said.
“By supporting STEM Africa 2.0, we are helping to bridge the skills gap and enabling young people to engage with emerging technologies that will define the future of work.”
The programme also focuses on inclusion by encouraging participation from underserved communities and promoting gender balance across all activities.
JA Africa noted that a monitoring and evaluation framework will be used to track participants’ learning outcomes and long-term progress into STEM-related education and career pathways.
Interested students, educators, and partners can access more information about the programme through exxonmobilstemsafrica.org.
