AltSchool Africa, a leading Nigerian edtech startup, announced the launch of the “AI for 10M Africans” initiative. AI for 10M Africans is aimed at training 10 million individuals across the continent in artificial intelligence. The initiative seeks to bridge the AI knowledge gap and position Africa as a hub for innovation rather than just a consumer of global technologies.
Speaking at a media briefing, AltSchool Africa CEO Adewale Yusuf emphasized that the initiative is about more than just education—it is about creating opportunities for Africans in the digital economy. “Africans should not be left behind,” Yusuf stated. “This is more than an educational program. It’s about equipping people with the tools they need for the future.”
The program will follow a structured approach, beginning with free foundational courses designed to introduce AI concepts and clear up common misconceptions. This ensures that even those with no prior experience in AI can get started. For learners who wish to specialize further, more advanced courses in areas such as machine learning, data science, and AI engineering will be offered for a fee. These courses aim to equip participants with practical, job-ready skills that are in high demand globally.
Recognizing the linguistic diversity across Africa, AltSchool will offer courses in multiple languages, including Swahili, French, Portuguese, Arabic, and Hausa. The decision is meant to ensure that language barriers do not hinder access to AI education.
The success of the initiative hinges on strong partnerships with governments, tech organizations, and industry leaders. AltSchool has already collaborated with countries like Nigeria, Rwanda, and Cape Verde, but Yusuf stressed that wider cooperation is necessary to make AI education accessible across the continent. Experts in Africa’s tech ecosystem have welcomed the initiative, noting that AI skills will be critical for the future job market.
“Africa is currently missing from global AI development,” said Foluso Folorunso, a Senior Product Designer at AltSchool. “This program is our way of changing that.”
To enhance learning outcomes, AltSchool is also launching Campus by AltSchool, a hybrid education model that combines online and in-person learning. The first physical campus will be based in Lagos, Nigeria, with Kigali, Rwanda considered for future expansion. The hybrid approach aims to increase course completion rates and provide students with hands-on AI experience in structured classroom environments.
As Africa seeks to establish itself in the global AI space, initiatives like AI for 10M Africans represent a significant step forward. With AI increasingly shaping industries—ranging from healthcare and finance to agriculture and education—equipping Africans with AI skills could unlock new economic opportunities across the continent.
However, challenges remain. Industry leaders stress the need for sustained investment, infrastructure, and policy support to ensure that AI education leads to meaningful job creation. For now, the initiative has generated widespread interest, signaling a new chapter for AI education in Africa.
