Across Ghana and Nigeria, a growing number of entrepreneurs are beginning to move beyond talking about artificial intelligence to actually using it in their businesses.
That shift is being driven by SmartScale, a hands-on AI training programme by Ghana-based entrepreneurship support organisation The Pitch Hub, which has now completed its pilot phase in both countries. The programme was built to help founders, small business owners, and creatives apply AI tools to real business challenges, rather than simply learn the concepts.
SmartScale combined virtual learning with in-person implementation labs held in Accra and Lagos, where participants moved from identifying problems to building, testing, and refining AI-powered solutions for areas such as customer support, digital marketing, content creation, and internal operations.
The programme was designed and led by Aurelia Abena Attipoe, Founder of The Pitch Hub, with support from ecosystem practitioners including Daniel Twum of Techbridge University College and Josiah Adesola, AI Ecosystem Lead at NitHub, University of Lagos. Delivery partners SG Innovate and NitHub helped create a collaborative, cross-border learning environment.
Originally planned for 30 participants, the pilot trained over 40 entrepreneurs, underscoring strong demand for practical AI skills. Beyond automation, participants also learned to use AI-powered design tools to create marketing assets, reducing dependence on expensive production workflows.
With AI awareness rising but adoption still limited among African small businesses, SmartScale offers a practical model for closing that gap. The Pitch Hub plans to expand the programme to additional markets, extending hands-on AI training to more founders across the continent.