Leading online learning platform, Coursera, has partnered with the African Leadership University (ALU), to provide learners across Africa with access to world-class education, equipping them with essential skills to thrive in the digital economy.
Education in Africa has faced significant obstacles, with only about 9% of young people in Sub-Saharan Africa attending tertiary education, compared to a global average of 38%. Additionally, unemployment rates among African youth have risen alarmingly high. To combat this, there is a need for accessible, quality education and skill development to prepare Africa’s workforce for the future.
The Coursera-ALU partnership seeks to address these challenges by democratising education in Africa and promoting equal learning opportunities. ALU’s experiential learning model will seamlessly integrate with Coursera’s technology, making education accessible continent-wide. This will ensure that learners receive high-quality courses while gaining practical, job-relevant skills, empowering them to seize new job opportunities and contribute to the digital economy’s growth in the region.
CEO of African Leadership University, Veda Sunassee, noted, “At ALU, our mission is to shape Africa’s future leaders, and partnerships like this with Coursera play a crucial role in addressing the significant challenges facing education in Africa. By expanding access to world-class education and ensuring that students have the necessary skills to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges, we are not only helping them to thrive but also contributing to Africa’s growth and development.”
The partnership has seen over 1,500 students from across Africa benefiting, with more than 9,000 courses completed, accumulating over 16,000 enrollments and totalling 61,000 learner hours. These achievements demonstrate the high demand for accessible, job-relevant education that can transform lives and communities in Africa.
Top courses include:
- Solving Problems with Creativity and Critical Thinking (IBM)
- Building Fintech Startups in Emerging Markets (University of Cape Town)
- Innovation Through Design (The University of Sydney)
- Ready, Set, Future! Introduction to Futures Thinking (Institute for the Future)
- Welcome to Game Theory (The University of Tokyo)
Coursera’s General Manager for the Middle East and Africa, Kais Zribi, stated, “At Coursera, we believe that talent is universal, but opportunities are not. Our partnership with ALU is a testament to our commitment to bridging this gap and providing learners in Africa with the skills they need to succeed in the digital economy.” He added, “We are excited to see the incredible impact this collaboration is already having and look forward to expanding our efforts to reach even more learners across the continent.”
ALU emphasizes learning through real-world experiences in addition to theoretical education. Over the past two years, Coursera has hosted approximately 40 students and staff from ALU at its headquarters in Mountain View, California, as part of ALU’s Global Leadership program and the Coursera Innovation Bridge initiative, led by the Coursera for Africa team.
Participants engaged in workshops focused on design, creativity, and critical thinking, and networked with professionals, gaining valuable insights and inspiration for their future careers.
Source: Coursera
By Derrick Kafui Deti – Digital Economy Magazine
