The initiative will break down AI concepts, address misconceptions, and equip individuals with knowledge to integrate AI into their careers and daily lives.

Adewale Yusuf, CEO of AltSchool Africa, emphasised the importance of the programme, stating,

“The future belongs to those who are prepared. AI is no longer a technology of the future; it is shaping industries, economies, and everyday life today. With this initiative, we are taking a bold step to ensure that Africans are not left behind. AI for 10M Africans is more than an educational programme; it is a movement to create opportunities and bridge the knowledge gap.”

The initiative is structured to cater to learners at all levels. It begins with foundational courses introducing AI concepts before progressing to advanced topics such as machine learning, data science, AI engineering, and real-world AI applications.

The programme is designed to be accessible, multilingual, and available in English, French, Swahili, Arabic, and other widely spoken African languages.

Foluso Folorunso, project lead for AI for 10M Africans, highlighted the need for AI education across the continent.

“Many people in Africa still see AI as something distant or even intimidating. Our goal is to change that. This initiative provides structured, accessible, and engaging learning experiences that will help Africans understand AI, leverage it for personal and professional growth, and even build AI-powered solutions. Our long-term vision is to create a thriving AI ecosystem in Africa,” she said.

The programme includes comprehensive learning pathways that begin with beginner-friendly content and gradually introduce technical skills such as coding and AI product development. Learners will engage in hands-on projects to gain practical experience in AI applications.

Strategic partnerships with universities, tech companies, and government agencies will support AI education at scale, while certification and career support will help learners apply AI skills in various industries.

Folorunso stressed the programme’s broader impact.

“This is not just another AI course. We are building a movement that will impact Africa’s technological and economic future. By empowering millions with AI skills, we are fostering innovation, creating jobs, and ensuring Africans are actively shaping the AI-driven world.”

AltSchool Africa is inviting organisations, government bodies, and industry leaders to support and collaborate on the initiative. Yusuf underscored the role of partnerships, saying,

“We believe in the power of collective effort. AI for 10M Africans is an opportunity for organisations to make a lasting impact by supporting AI education at scale. Whether through sponsorships, mentorship programmes, or employment opportunities for certified learners, there are many ways to contribute to this vision.”

Christine Ashimwe, business developer for East Africa, noted the importance of regional inclusion. The need for policy action, stating, “Policymakers must urgently integrate AI education into African school curricula. We’re working with governments in Cabo Verde, Nigeria, and Rwanda, but this needs to be continent-wide. Our current education systems are preparing students for a world that no longer exists—we can’t afford to leave another generation behind in the AI revolution.”

The initiative is launching at a time when AI adoption is accelerating worldwide. Yusuf acknowledged concerns about AI’s impact on jobs but emphasised the need for preparation. “There’s a lot of fear in the market—people ask, ‘Is my job going? What’s the future of work?’ We want Africans to understand their role in this global shift. AI might not replace you, but people who use AI will replace you.”

AltSchool Africa is calling for collaboration with governments, media, and organisations to integrate AI education into national curricula. Folorunso said, “AI is here to stay. Africa missed past tech advancements—we cannot miss this one.”

The AI for 10M Africans programme aims to equip individuals across the continent with knowledge and skills to navigate the evolving technological landscape.

AltSchool Africa is working with partners to make the courses as accessible as possible, with many offered free of charge. As the programme grows, it will continue expanding resources to support learners at all levels.

The initiative reflects AltSchool Africa’s commitment to positioning Africa at the forefront of AI innovation, ensuring that Africans are not only consumers of technology but also contributors and leaders in the AI space.

The organisation is encouraging individuals and institutions to be part of this movement, helping to build an AI-ready Africa.

This follows the company’s successful participation in the SuperCharger Ventures accelerator programme, one of the largest edtech-focused accelerators globally. 

The new European operations will be based in Malta, where the startup plans to set up a hybrid learning model, blending online courses with in-person engagements for greater learner interaction and support.

AltSchool was founded in 2021 to provide accessible, high-quality education in areas like engineering, data analytics, and business. 

The startup has already established a strong presence in Africa, with over 100,000 learners across 12 countries, and it is now looking to extend its reach to European markets. 

By 2025, AltSchool plans to welcome its first cohort of learners in Malta, with initial programmes covering cloud engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data science.

AltSchool’s founder and CEO, Adewale Yusuf, explained that the company’s mission is to create opportunities for individuals to transform their lives through accessible education, while also supporting businesses in building the teams they need to drive innovation. 

He noted the growing demand for tech skills across Europe, especially in light of the digital skills shortages that many companies face. “Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not,” Yusuf said, emphasising the startup’s focus on addressing this gap.

As part of its expansion strategy, AltSchool will be adopting a hybrid learning approach in Europe, combining its successful online model with in-person sessions in Malta. 

This is a change from its predominantly virtual operations in Africa, where the company has garnered considerable attention for its flexible learning programmes.

Rachael Onoja, the head of innovation and market expansion at AltSchool, noted that this approach allows the startup to leverage the best elements of traditional and modern education methods. “We want to take the best of both sides,” Onoja explained.

In addition to individual learners, AltSchool will explore business-to-business (B2B) partnerships in Europe, offering tailored training programmes to help organisations upskill their employees. 

This will allow the startup to diversify its revenue streams, which have traditionally focused on individual learners. Onoja also revealed that the company is in talks with local businesses to offer enterprise licensing for workforce development.

AltSchool’s expansion into Europe marks a critical juncture in its growth journey. The company is actively seeking new hires in business development, marketing, and content production to support its efforts. 

As the European market presents new challenges, AltSchool’s core offerings in cloud engineering, cybersecurity, AI, and data science are expected to address the pressing demand for skilled professionals in these fields.

Shortly, AltSchool aims to establish further partnerships with local universities, governments, and businesses to enhance its impact and expand its accreditation in Malta.

Edtech startup AltSchool Africa, often described as the African version of BloomTech, has set its sights on Kenya, its second-largest market by revenue. 

This expansion will aid AltSchool in achieving its mission to equip ten million Africans with in-demand skills by 2030.

Founded in 2021, AltSchool offers a unique alternative to traditional academic institutions. By leveraging modern technology and focusing on practical, hands-on learning, the platform empowers individuals to gain skills relevant to high-growth sectors like business, data, engineering, media, and the creative economy.

One of the biggest challenges facing Africa is the mismatch between the skills job seekers possess and the skills employers demand. With an estimated 10 million job seekers and only 3 million employed, AltSchool aims to bridge this gap by providing accessible, affordable, and effective training programs.

The company’s flexible pricing model, ranging from $20 to $50 per month, caters to a diverse range of learners. Additionally, AltSchool offers income-sharing agreements (ISAs), allowing students to pay a percentage of their future income instead of upfront fees. This innovative approach removes financial barriers and opens doors for even the most underprivileged individuals.

AltSchool’s expansion to Kenya is driven by the country’s strong potential and its position as the company’s second-highest revenue generator. In setting up a local office and appointing Tabitha Kayvu as Country Manager, AltSchool reiterates its obligation to provide dedicated support and faster processing of local payments for Kenyan learners.

The company’s success is not limited to Kenya. AltSchool has already established a presence in the United States and Rwanda, and its courses are attracting learners from over 105 countries. With partnerships secured with key stakeholders in Kenya and ongoing talks with agencies to expand access to its programs, AltSchool is set for further growth and impact.

Adewale Yusuf, co-founder of AltSchool, envisions a future where ten million Africans are equipped with the skills necessary to secure meaningful employment and contribute to the continent’s economic development. As the company focuses on practical, industry-relevant skills and utilising innovative learning models, AltSchool is focused on building a brighter future for African youth and the continent as a whole.

The investment will enable AltSchool to build its content and curriculum, technology infrastructure and community concept, where students will meet offline to network and learn together.

Founded by Adewale Yusuf, Akintunde Sultan and Opeyemi AwoyemI, AltSchool enables thousands of individuals make money via marketable skills rather than banking on degrees all the time.

Leveraging its digital platform, AltSchool provides a curriculum to improve and upskill individuals without technical skills, helping them gain these soft skills while partnering with higher institutions to provide diploma certificates within a short and effective period. All that’s needed to participate in the programme is a high school certificate and computer literacy.

The programme provides new applicants with a home study kit in preparation for an assessment test. Those admitted into the school, meeting a pass mark of 85%, will take a software engineering course with three tracks: frontend engineering, backend engineering and cloud engineering. In the one-year programme, students take classes for nine months – three semesters, followed by a three-month internship at local tech companies to gain experience.

Those who do not get admitted into its programme are not left out. AltSchool gives them access to the platform’s first-semester content for free and practice. If they stick to the end of the three-month curriculum, AltSchool will provide avenues for them to complete the entire nine-month programme.

In AltSchool’s pipeline are courses on product, blockchain and data. It intends to launch the product modules, including product management, marketing and design, by Q2 this year. The company is also exploring B2B partnerships with private schools in Nigeria and Africa, using AltSchool’s curriculum in their classes.

So far, more than 8,000 people have applied (the application fee is ₦10,000, almost ~$20) to participate in AltSchool’s software engineering program, which starts in April. These applications came from 19 countries (including 14 African countries) and Yusuf said the company received the most entries from Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Kenya and Botswana.