Coursera , an online learning platform, has partnered with the African Leadership University (ALU), to enable learners from across Africa to access world-class education and equip them with the necessary skills to thrive in a digital economy.
Launched in 2012 Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller, Coursera partners with over 325 leading university and industry partners to offer a broad catalog of content and credentials, including courses, Specializations, Professional Certificates, Guided Projects, and bachelor’s and master’s degrees while African Leadership University (ALU) provides higher education for a higher purpose. ALU is helping train Africa’s leaders and visionaries of tomorrow, through a mix of mission-led study and work experience.
Kais Zribi, Coursera’s General Manager for the Middle East and Africa said, “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,” said Kais Zribi, Coursera’s General Manager for the Middle East and Africa. “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.”
Education in Africa faces significant challenges. Only about 9% of young people in Sub-Saharan Africa attend tertiary education , compared to the global average of 38%. Moreover, unemployment rates among African youth remain alarmingly high. This highlights the urgent need for accessible, quality education and skill development to prepare Africa’s workforce for the future.
The Coursera and ALU partnership aims to address these challenges by democratizing education in Africa and promoting equitable learning. ALU’s experiential learning model will seamlessly integrate with Coursera’s technology, making education accessible continent-wide. This ensures access to high-quality courses while equipping learners with practical, job-relevant skills, empowering them for new job opportunities and the digital economy’s growth in the region.
“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,” said Veda Sunassee, CEO of African Leadership University.
To date, Over 1,500 students from across Africa have benefited from the program with over 9,000 courses completed, accumulating over 16,000 enrollments and totaling 61,000 learner hours.
These outcomes demonstrate that learners on the continent are seeking accessible, job-relevant education that can transform their lives and communities.