Coursera, a prominent online learning platform, has partnered with the African Leadership University (ALU), an institution dedicated to nurturing Africa’s future leaders. This collaboration aims to provide learners across Africa with world-class education and the skills needed to succeed in a digital economy.
Addressing Educational Challenges in Africa
Education in Africa faces numerous challenges. Only about 9% of young people in Sub-Saharan Africa attend tertiary education, compared to the global average of 38%. Additionally, unemployment rates among African youth remain high, highlighting the need for accessible and quality education to prepare the workforce for the future.
The Coursera and ALU partnership aims to democratize education in Africa and promote equitable learning. By integrating ALU’s experiential learning model with Coursera’s technology, education becomes accessible across the continent. This collaboration ensures that learners receive high-quality courses and practical, job-relevant skills, empowering them for new opportunities in the growing digital economy.
Significant Outcomes of the Partnership
To date, the partnership has achieved notable outcomes:
- Over 1,500 students from across Africa have benefited.
- More than 9,000 courses completed, accumulating over 16,000 enrollments and totaling 61,000 learner hours.
Top courses taken 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)
These achievements demonstrate the high demand for accessible, job-relevant education among learners in Africa, which can transform their lives and communities.
Leadership Perspectives
“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.
Kais Zribi, Coursera’s General Manager for the Middle East and Africa, added, “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. 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.”
Experiential Learning and Real-World Experience
ALU focuses on combining theoretical learning with real-world experiences. Over the past two years, Coursera has hosted around 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, while networking with professionals to gain valuable insights for their future careers.
About ALU and Coursera
African Leadership University (ALU): ALU provides higher education with a purpose. With campuses in Kigali, Rwanda, and Pamplemousses, Mauritius, ALU trains Africa’s future leaders through mission-led studies and work experiences. ALU emphasizes student agency and real-world skill development. To date, 36% of ALU alumni have launched 140 unique ventures, creating over 44,000 jobs and raising nearly US$6 million.
Coursera: Launched in 2012 by Stanford professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller, Coursera aims to provide universal access to world-class learning. With 148 million registered learners and over 325 partnerships, Coursera offers a broad range of content and credentials, including courses, Specializations, Professional Certificates, and degrees. Coursera became a Delaware public benefit corporation and a B Corp in February 2021.
