By Nqobile Dludla

JOHANNESBURG, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Microsoft ( MSFT ) aims to

provide 1 million people in South Africa with artificial

intelligence (AI) and cyber security training opportunities by

2026, Lillian Barnard, President for Microsoft Africa, said on

Thursday.

Microsoft's ( MSFT ) national skilling initiative targets a

broad audience, and in South Africa will prioritise all sectors

from companies to government and the youth, Barnard said at the

company's "AI Tour" in Johannesburg.

She did not disclose the investment figure for the

initiative.

"By providing skilling opportunities and access to industry

recognised certifications, our youth will be well positioned to

compete on the global stage," Barnard said.

Microsoft ( MSFT ), the first global "hyperscale" public cloud

provider to build data centres in South Africa, has trained four

million Africans in the last five years and has committed to

train 30 million Africans in the next five years.