eLearnAfrica has introduced an online marketplace for education, which aims to make it easier for students throughout Africa to search for and enrol in hundreds of online courses, online degrees, and professional certifications from universities around the world.
According to eLearnAfrica, the Web portal connects users of all educational levels to educational content created by third-parties, available through the Web site and mobile app.
The types of courses offered include every type of academic area such as Health Science, Computer Science and Business Administration. Professional certifications include Windows, network services, program management and workforce development.
The social enterprise has partnered with edX, founded by Harvard University and MIT, and social learning platform FutureLearn to offer the variety of courses to its primarily African audience.
"We are delighted to collaborate with eLearnAfrica, we are deeply committed to edX learners on the continent and have a partnership with the University of Witwatersrand, and the University of Johannesburg, a first of its kind collaboration between a massive open online courses provider and an African university," says Anant Agarwal, CEO of edX and MIT Professor.
The courses, he adds, use video and other online resources, and students take a short test to progress to the next class. Most of these courses can be taken for free, and some courses also offer a verified certificate of completion.
Nigel Smith, head of content at FutureLearn, says: "We're very pleased to be one of the launch partners for eLearnAfrica. Although we are UK-based, 70% of our learners are based in countries outside the UK and with our mission to pioneer the best social learning experience for everyone, anywhere; eLearnAfrica is a great partner for us."
To make sure that Africans can take video-based professional certification programs, eLearnAfrica says it has joined hands with itSM Mentor, which has over 1 400 classes in close to 175 specialised areas. Students can quickly become certified by mastering Microsoft Office, learn accounting, project management, or information technologies.
Brook Negussie, CEO of eLearnAfrica, says the portal is set to become Africa's trusted source for open education.
"As an educational platform, eLearnAfrica offers opportunities to African students at every stage of higher education and career development. We set out to combine local knowledge with long-term global expertise through partnerships and academic excellence, to bring the best in the world to Africa in one easily accessible marketplace," he notes.
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