Publicis Groupe Africa, in partnership with the Soma Foundation, launched a three-month CSI pilot programme aimed at equipping unemployed youth with future-ready digital skills in robotics, AI and coding. Delivered in late 2025 at the Riversand Incubation Hub in Johannesburg, the programme supported 24 participants aged 18–26 through hands-on training, mentorship and coaching.

The curriculum covered coding and robotics, software development, AI and IoT, digital technologies, 3D printing and entrepreneurship, helping participants build both technical capability and real-world application skills. The initiative was delivered by the Soma Foundation in collaboration with Ginini Consulting, with Publicis Groupe Africa providing strategic leadership, creative expertise and direct executive mentorship.

Following the success of the pilot, a new cohort has already been recruited for 2026, with plans to expand the programme to Durban and Cape Town and deepen its focus on AI-driven training. The initiative reflects a shared long-term commitment to tackling youth unemployment, building a future-ready talent pipeline, and strengthening an economically resilient communities across South Africa.