“Radical shifts in African tech education are essential to meet the growing global demand for digital skills,”
says General Manager of ALX South Africa Divesh Sooka.
ALX is a leading technology training provider in Africa, equipping young people with the most in-demand technical skills and soft skills that enable them to thrive in the global digital economy.
In 2023, ALX responded to this challenge by recruiting 17,000 learners across the continent, with 15,000 of them already securing work opportunities. Building on this momentum, ALX has set an ambitious target to expand its reach and train 750,000 learners throughout Africa in 2024, taking a significant step towards reshaping the continent’s tech education landscape. Of these 10% will be South Africans.
“The need to address the massive global demand for tech skills and rampant youth unemployment not only in this country, but the continent as a whole, requires intensive tech education training that can be rolled out and scaled quickly,”
Sooka says.
Empowering 2.5 million by 2030
ALX’s vision extends beyond immediate skill-building; by 2030 it aims to equip 2.5 million young Africans with digital competencies, fostering a new wave of digital entrepreneurs as well . In the last year alone, 3,500 entrepreneurs have been nurtured through ALX Ventures, each employing an average of five to seven people.
Sooka explains its approach:
“Blended learning and accessibility are key. We have, for example, introduced a three-month foundational digital skills phase in our program so that every learner, no matter their education background can start on an equal footing. This vital phase is designed to enhance confidence and learner retention. We’ve also minimized barriers to entry, with a one off administrative fee. Whilst our partnership with the Mastercard Foundation enables us to waive the remaining programme fees for thousands of eligible learners across Africa.”
Demand-driven skills and community impact
ALX’s curriculum is designed to meet global job market demands, including crucial soft skills, with a particular emphasis on coding, AWS, and Salesforce skills. As ALX scales up, the focus will increasingly shift towards online training. In eight cities across the continent, learners have the opportunity to benefit from ALX’s [training] hubs, which foster community and provide support services for the learners.
For learners outside of these cities, ALX’s online portal offers a virtual community experience as a vital part of our learning experience.
The unique aspect of ALX’s training is its community-centered approach. Learners are encouraged to apply their skills to solve real-life problems in their communities, ensuring that the benefits of tech education ripple outwards.
Innovative ALX tech programs
In response to the increasing global interest in African digital talent, ALX has launched advanced programs in Data Analytics, Data Science, Salesforce Administration, and AWS Cloud Practitioner.
“These programs, as well as our flagship Software Engineering course, are aligned with the AI Revolution and the high demand for Data Scientists and Analysts,”
says Fred Swaniker, ALI Founder and CEO,
“Along with our drive to hire people with cloud computing skills, which has been recognized as one of the most in-demand hard skills in the tech market.”
Researchers from Debt Rescue have highlighted seven of the most in-demand jobs in South Africa. These careers, some of the top-earning in 2023, offer salaries ranging from R240,000 to R949,000 annually.
The roles, including database design, development, administration, software development, and data analysis, are crucial in today’s tech-driven world.
For instance, the average salary for a database designer/developer/administrator in South Africa stands at R360,000 per annum, while software developers earn around R462,144. Data analysts and data warehouse specialists, essential for extracting insights from large data sets, earn an average annual salary of R552,099.
Keeping education acceptable
ALX is committed to offering accessible tech education,
“Our programs focus on in-demand skills with bright career prospects,”
explains Sooka.
Course administration costs are kept affordable, with a monthly rate of US$15 and total fees depending on the program duration. For example, US$75 for a five-month programme and US$90 for a six-month programme. Flexible payment options include pay-as-you-learn, a 50/50 split, or a 20% discount for upfront full payment.
Redefining a generation
“ALX is committed to be at the forefront of equipping young professionals with the most in-demand skills that will power the future. With a strong emphasis on gender diversity and ethical leadership, we are molding young Africans to tackle the continent’s and the world’s complex challenges. Through its training programs, ALX is fueling the global workforce and redefining the future of African youth,”
Sooka concludes.
