Ministry of Youth partners with Scopeg AI for SMS-based Funza AI

The Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment has partnered with Ghanaian tech startup Scopeg AI to launch Funza AI, a tool designed to provide artificial intelligence services to citizens without internet access. This offline platform allows users to receive AI-generated responses via SMS, effectively bridging the digital divide for millions of Ghanaians. The initiative specifically targets young people, students, and entrepreneurs who lack smartphones or consistent data connectivity, ensuring that technological advancement is not restricted to urban or affluent populations.

Funza AI functions by allowing users to send queries to a dedicated short code. In return, the platform provides automated assistance across several critical sectors, including education, agriculture, and business. For students, the service offers tutoring support, while farmers can access real-time agricultural advice. Job seekers and small business owners can also utilize the tool for career guidance and operational support. This text-based approach addresses a significant gap in Ghana, where an estimated nine million people remain offline, predominantly in underserved and rural areas.

Through this partnership, participants in ministry-led programs will receive discounted access to Funza AI services. This collaboration underscores the government's commitment to supporting indigenous innovation and youth-led technological solutions. By leveraging the existing mobile infrastructure of SMS, the Ministry and Scopeg AI aim to democratize access to information that was previously only available through high-cost internet services.

The national rollout of Funza AI is scheduled for completion by the end of November. As a locally developed technology, the platform represents a milestone in Ghana's efforts to foster a more inclusive digital economy. By removing the barriers of hardware costs and data prices, the initiative seeks to empower the next generation of Ghanaian professionals and laborers with the information they need to compete in a modern economy, regardless of their geographic location or economic status.