While the world debates the future of Artificial Intelligence, a new wave of African entrepreneurs is already putting it to work. The Pitch Hub, a Ghana-based powerhouse for startup growth, has just wrapped up the pilot phase of SmartScale—a high-impact training initiative that moves AI out of the classroom and directly into the storefronts of Lagos and Accra.
From Theory to Implementation Labs Unlike traditional workshops that focus on abstract concepts, SmartScale was built on “Implementation Labs.” Led by a trio of ecosystem experts—Daniel Twum (Techbridge), Josiah Adesola (NitHub), and project visionary Aurelia Abena Attipoe—the program forced participants to build, not just listen.
The pilot leveraged strategic partnerships with SG Innovate in Ghana and NitHub, University of Lagos in Nigeria, creating a cross-border brain trust of creators and tech practitioners.
The AI Toolkit for the Modern Founder The curriculum bypassed the “hype” and focused on high-utility tools like Claude Code, Gemini, and AI Studio. Founders didn’t just play with chatbots; they followed a rigorous software requirement workflow to build:
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Automated Customer Support: Custom AI agents to handle client inquiries.
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Internal Operations Engines: Tools to streamline backend business logic.
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Zero-Budget Media Houses: Using Meta AI, Leonardo, and Playground, entrepreneurs learned to produce studio-quality product photography and video, eliminating the need for expensive third-party production agencies.
Success by the Numbers The demand for practical tech skills is clearly surging. While originally designed for a cohort of 30, the pilot was oversubscribed, eventually training over 40 founders across both nations. These participants didn’t just graduate with certificates; they left with functioning AI tools integrated into their daily business operations.
The Road Ahead: Scaling the Scalers With the pilot’s success proving that a repeatable model for AI adoption exists, The Pitch Hub is preparing to take SmartScale into new African markets.
As Project Lead Aurelia Abena Attipoe puts it: “Many entrepreneurs hear about AI but don’t know where the ‘on’ switch is for their specific business. We built SmartScale to find that switch.” By focusing on real use cases instead of tech-jargon, The Pitch Hub is ensuring that the African SME of tomorrow is built on the intelligent infrastructure of today.
