Google announces free AI Pro plan for Kenyan University students

The program, unveiled in Nairobi, targets eligible students aged 18 and above in six African countries — Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

Through the offer, students will gain access to Google’s latest artificial intelligence tools designed to enhance learning, research, and creative innovation.

According to Google, the initiative builds on its ongoing investment in Africa’s digital ecosystem through flagship programs such as the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa and the Digital Skills for Africa initiative, both of which have supported millions of individuals and small businesses in developing digital capabilities.

Alex Okosi, Managing Director for Google in Sub-Saharan Africa, said the introduction of Gemini 2.5 Pro — included in the AI Pro plan — is aimed at equipping young Africans with essential AI literacy skills to prepare them for an increasingly technology-driven job market.

“We are seeing a new wave of innovation in Africa, driven by the energy and ingenuity of our young people,” said Okosi. “By providing students with access to our most advanced AI tools, we want to empower them to not only excel in their studies but also become critical builders and shapers of the future. This offer is about democratizing access to technology and giving African students the skills to compete and lead on a global stage.”

The Google AI Pro plan includes features that support academic and creative productivity, such as AI-assisted research summaries, code debugging, and detailed step-by-step explanations for complex topics. It also incorporates NotebookLM for note organization and Veo 3, a tool that converts text prompts and images into short, high-quality videos suitable for presentations.

Additionally, the plan provides 2 TB of cloud storage across Google Drive, Gmail, and Photos, offering ample space for academic and creative projects.

Students interested in the offer are required to verify their university status and activate their 12-month subscription by visiting gemini.google/students. The redemption period runs for 60 days — from October 7 to December 9, 2025.