Nigerian EdTech Powerhouse AltSchool Africa Expands Educational Frontiers, Unveils Operations in Kenya
AltSchool Africa, a dynamic Nigerian EdTech startup with a global presence spanning over 100 countries and boasting a user base of 60,000, has officially launched its innovative educational platform in Kenya, marking its second foray into the East African market. The startup, initially renowned for providing one-year diploma courses in software engineering upon its launch in 2021, has significantly expanded its scope. Currently, AltSchool Africa offers diverse educational tracks such as Engineering, Data, Business, Product, and the Creative Economy, encompassing courses ranging from sales to digital marketing, fintech product management, and data engineering.
Adewale Yusuf, Co-founder and CEO of AltSchool Africa, highlighted Kenya’s strategic significance in the startup’s expansion plans. Although Kenya trails behind Nigeria in terms of learner enrollments, AltSchool Africa aims to bolster its presence in the country. The Kenyan launch represents the culmination of extensive groundwork, with Tabitha Kayvu appointed to lead operations in the region.
While AltSchool Africa predominantly delivers virtual education to its learners, it has strategically forged partnerships to cultivate a robust community for its Nigerian user base. Yusuf affirmed the startup’s commitment to replicating this community-building approach in Kenya.
In a pivotal development in 2022, AltSchool Africa secured $1 million in a pre-seed funding round featuring notable Nigerian entertainers Folarin Balogun (Falz) and Akitoye Balogun (Ajebutter). These influential figures have actively supported the startup’s marketing endeavors, occasionally appearing in promotional material. Nifemi Akinwamide, Head of Growth and Partnerships at AltSchool, revealed ongoing conversations with communities and organizations in Kenya. She emphasized that the expansion aligns with AltSchool Africa’s overarching mission to equip Africans globally with the skills needed to seize opportunities in technology, hinting at plans for further launches in other African countries where the startup has garnered traction.
AltSchool Africa’s mission revolves around preparing individuals for the anticipated growth in jobs requiring technical skills. However, the volatile landscape of the job market, marked by layoffs and hiring freezes at major tech companies, poses challenges. In response, AltSchool Africa places a strong emphasis on ensuring learners not only complete their courses successfully but also understand the expectations of employers. The startup strives to empower students to secure roles independently, transcending reliance solely on the platform for job placement.
Source: TechPoint