Despite over 100 African universities offering courses related to artificial intelligence (AI), recruiters argue that their curricula are outdated, leaving graduates largely unemployable. To bridge this gap, numerous startups in South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya are stepping in, providing hands-on training in new technologies and helping thousands of young Africans secure jobs.
Oyinda Olatunji’s experience is illustrative. After graduating with a computer science degree from a Nigerian state university, Olatunji expected to secure a job with a local data science company. However, despite studying topics like data science and machine learning, her lack of practical experience in AI hindered her job prospects. Olatunji’s story echoes that of many African tech graduates who struggle to find employment due to outdated university curricula.
In response, startups like Zindi in South Africa, DSNai and ChipLab in Nigeria, and ALX in Kenya are providing practical experience in AI through projects and competitions. These initiatives have helped thousands of students find jobs, offering them the skills needed to meet industry requirements.
ALX, for instance, has seen over 100,000 students enroll in its programs related to data science and software engineering in just the first two months of 2024. Similarly, Zindi, a platform hosting hackathons and boot camps for data scientists, has assisted over 100 engineers in securing jobs with major tech companies.
Lawrence Moruye, a graduate from Senegal, credits platforms like Zindi for providing him with the practical skills he needed to secure a job as a data scientist at Jumia. However, despite the efforts of startups, there remains an acute shortage of AI-related talent in Africa.
Experts argue that African governments need to invest in university AI programs to address this talent shortage effectively. By collaborating with private startups, governments can ensure the development of an adequate number of AI professionals and prepare Africa to harness its full AI potential.
