Google Expands Free AI Access Across 27 African Countries

Google has expanded access to its AI-powered learning tools for higher education students across Africa, offering eligible university and college students in 27 countries a free one-year subscription to Google AI Plus.The offer, announced on 25 August 2026, gives eligible students access to Google’s Gemini AI tools, including Gemini Omni, higher usage limits and 400GB of cloud storage shared across Google Drive, Gmail and Google Photos. Students in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and 24 other African countries will be able to access the offer, subject to verification of their student status.The move comes as universities and colleges across the continent increasingly explore how generative AI can be incorporated into teaching, research and academic work. Students are already using AI tools for tasks ranging from research and revision to understanding complex subjects and preparing coursework, although concerns around accuracy, academic integrity and responsible use remain. Google said its latest student offering is intended to provide tools that support the learning process rather than simply generate answers.Among the features available to students is a dedicated Student Hub within Gemini, where users can organise their studies, create practice quizzes and access different learning tools. Another feature, Study Notebooks, allows students to upload materials such as lecture...