Coursera Partners with African Leadership University to Empower Africa’s Future Leaders

The partnership aims to democratize education in Africa and promote equitable learning by integrating ALU's experiential learning model with Coursera's technology.

Coursera, a leading online learning platform, has partnered with the African Leadership University (ALU) to provide learners across Africa with access to world-class education and essential skills for the digital economy. This collaboration addresses the significant challenges in African education, where only about 9% of young people in Sub-Saharan Africa attend tertiary education compared to the global average of 38%, and unemployment rates among African youth remain high.

The partnership aims to democratize education in Africa and promote equitable learning by integrating ALU's experiential learning model with Coursera's technology. This ensures that high-quality courses are accessible continent-wide, equipping learners with practical, job-relevant skills and preparing them for new job opportunities and the region’s digital economy growth.

“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.

The partnership has already achieved significant 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 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 outcomes demonstrate that learners on the continent are seeking accessible, job-relevant education that can transform their lives and communities.

"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."

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.

The Coursera and ALU partnership 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.