Coursera and African Leadership University Partner to Boost Education in Africa

Coursera, a leading online learning platform, has announced a partnership with the African Leadership University (ALU) to provide learners across Africa with access to expand, access to world-class education. The collaboration aims to equip students with the skills necessary for a digital economy, addressing significant challenges in African education.

This partnership has significant implications for the future of education and economic development in Africa. By providing access to high-quality education, it can help address the skills gap and unemployment rates among African youth, thereby driving economic growth and prosperity.

Currently, only about 9% of young people in Sub-Saharan Africa attend tertiary education, compared to the global average of 38%. Unemployment rates among African youth remain alarmingly high, highlighting the urgent need for accessible quality education and skill development.

The partnership between Coursera and ALU seeks to make education in Africa more accessible and promote equitable learning. By integrating ALU's experiential learning model with Coursera's technology, the collaboration ensures that high-quality courses are accessible continent-wide. This initiative equips learners with practical, job-relevant skills, preparing them for new job opportunities and the region's digital economy growth.

Veda Sunassee, CEO of African Leadership University, stated, 'At ALU, our mission is to shape Africa's future leaders, and partnerships like this with Coursera play a vital role in addressing the significant challenges facing education in Africa.'

Kais Zribi, Coursera's General Manager for the Middle East and Africa, echoed this sentiment, saying, *'We believe that talent is universal, but opportunities are not. Our partnership with ALU is a demonstration of our commitment to bridging this gap and providing learners in Africa with the skills they need to succeed in the digital economy.

Since the partnership began, over 1,500 students from across Africa have benefited. More than 9,000 courses have been completed, accumulating over 16,000 enrollments and totaling 61,000 learner hours. Top courses include 'Solving Problems with Creativity and Critical Thinking' (IBM), 'Building Fintech Startups in Emerging Markets' (University of Cape Town), and 'Innovation Through Design' (The University of Sydney).

ALU emphasizes real-world experiences alongside theoretical learning. Over the past two years, Coursera has hosted approximately 40 students and staff at its headquarters in Mountain View, California, as part of ALU's Global Leadership program and the Coursera Innovation Bridge initiative. Participants engaged in workshops on design, creativity, and critical thinking, and networked with professionals, gaining valuable insights and inspiration for their future careers.

Coursera, founded in 2012 by Stanford Computer Science professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller, has grown to become one of the largest online learning platforms in the world, with 148 million registered learners as of March 31, 2024. The platform partners with over 325 leading university and industry partners to offer a broad catalog of content and credentials.

African Leadership University (ALU) provides higher education for a higher purpose, with a state-of-the-art campus in Kigali, Rwanda, and a college in Pamplemousses, Mauritius. The university aims to shape Africa's future leaders through innovative and experiential learning models.

The partnership between Coursera and ALU highlights a commitment to providing high-quality, accessible education and equipping Africa's future leaders with the skills needed to drive the continent's development and prosperity.

Key Takeaways

• Coursera partners with African Leadership University to expand access to education in Africa.
• Only 9% of Sub-Saharan African youth attend tertiary education, compared to 38% globally.
• The partnership aims to equip learners with skills for the digital economy, addressing unemployment and skills gaps.
• Over 1,500 students have benefited, completing 9,000+ courses and accumulating 61,000+ learner hours.
• The partnership promotes equitable learning, bridging the gap between talent and opportunities in Africa.