AI Education Expansion Across Africa with 'AI for 10 Million Africans' Campaign by AltSchool
AltSchool Africa's "AI for 10M Africans" Initiative: Empowering the Continent through AI Education
AltSchool Africa, a Nigerian edtech startup, has launched an ambitious initiative called "AI for 10M Africans." This comprehensive campaign aims to democratize AI literacy and skills development across Africa, targeting both urban and rural communities.
The program, which is currently in active rollout through 2025, features over 50 pilot centers in Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, and Kenya. It has already reached more than 250,000 learners, including school-age youth and adults.
Focus on AI Education and Entrepreneurship
The focus of the program is on AI literacy, applied AI concepts, entrepreneurship, and tailored workshops. These are delivered through hybrid (in-person and digital) formats to ensure accessibility and scalability.
Partnerships for a Wider Ecosystem
The initiative is supported by major global partners such as Microsoft, Google, Bloomberg, and Festival Managers (FestMan). These collaborators contribute to the broader ecosystem of AI skills training, including fellowships aimed at certifying professionals in AI engineering, ethics, and data analytics.
Localisation Efforts for Cultural Relevance
In Ghana, the campaign collaborates with local teacher associations to co-develop content incorporating indigenous knowledge and relevant local examples, enhancing cultural relevance and learner engagement.
Positioning Africa as a Player in the AI Sphere
The initiative aims to position Africa as more than just a consumer of AI products. It seeks to equip Africans with the skills needed to create and innovate in the AI sphere.
Accessibility through Hybrid Learning Hubs
AltSchool is launching a new offering called "Campus by AltSchool," designed for hybrid learning. This initiative is intended to enhance course completion rates and provide an immersive learning experience. The physical classes for Campus by AltSchool will begin at two locations in Lagos.
Language Support for Wide Reach
The courses will be available in various languages, including Swahili, French, Portuguese, Arabic, and Hausa, making them accessible to a wide range of learners across the continent.
Scholarship Partnerships for Accessibility
AltSchool is forging scholarship partnerships with organizations like Binance and Bybit to make its programs accessible to as many people as possible.
A Movement, Not Just an Educational Program
The success of this initiative relies heavily on the collaboration and partnership of organizations, government bodies, and industry leaders. The initiative is more than just an educational program; it is a movement to create opportunities and close the knowledge gap.
According to Adewale Yusuf, CEO of AltSchool Africa, the initiative ensures that Africans are not left behind in the AI revolution. The rollout of Campus by AltSchool is scheduled for Q2 2025. Lagos and Kigali have been identified as potential hubs for Campus by AltSchool.
Technical-level courses will come with a fee, but the initiative is designed to assist individuals at every stage of learning how to harness the power of AI. The success of AltSchool's initiatives relies on collaboration with organizations, government bodies, and industry leaders. The initiative addresses Africa’s need to prepare its youth for an AI-driven workforce by adapting education systems to include AI, offering personalized, low-connectivity-friendly learning platforms that align with evolving labor market demands, especially in sectors like agritech, fintech, renewable energy, and healthtech.
- AltSchool Africa's "AI for 10M Africans" initiative is not only focusing on AI education, but also on empowering learners with entrepreneurship skills, aiming to create a new generation of AI innovators across the continent.
- In line with its goal to position Africa as a key player in the AI sphere, AltSchool Africa has secured partnerships with tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and Binance, to facilitate technology-centric education and self-development opportunities within the continent.
