A free-to-use eLearning platform backed by the German government has launched across 54 African countries following “substantial growth” in the continent’s e-learning market as a result of the covid-19 pandemic.
Supported by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and intercontinental government organisation SMART Africa, atingi will focus on reaching marginalised populations that previously have not had access to high-quality education.
“We know that this will help Africans create and optimise employment opportunities at home”
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) will implement the project to deliver access to “best-in-class learning content” for free in order to transform lives “with training that improves their job prospects and supports entrepreneurial activities”.
“Digitalisation can help Africa make enormous strides in its development,” German Federal minister of Economic Cooperation and Development Gerd Müller said in a statement.
“This new platform offers eLearning opportunities to young people in remote and rural areas. We must harness the full potential of modern technology to create new opportunities for young Africans to enter training, the agricultural sector, medicine or the tech business.”
atingi has also partnered with leading international organisations including the World Bank and Smart Africa in its aim to ensure the width of society can gain necessary skills to access digital transformation.
One focus area for the platform will be vocational education deputy director general for the Private sector, Trade, Employment and Digital Technologies at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development Michael Krake added.
“We know that this will help Africans create and optimise employment opportunities at home,” he said.
“We decided to put our learnings to work through contextually relevant content, via state-of-the-art digital learning methods, that anyone with an internet connection can easily access at no cost to them.”
The content on the atingi platform – available in English and French – is developed in cooperation with local African partners, and takes into consideration local needs and market.
“In many African countries, access to education – especially for girls and rural populations – is a significant inhibitor to economic and social development,” Krake added.
atingi is optimised for use on any internet-enabled device, and offers flexible self-study learning options with the view to introduce tutor-supported and hybrid courses combining real-life elements with online sessions.
“It is our mission to help Africa unlock her potential by ensuring her people achieve their employment ambitions, whatever they may be,” Krake concluded.
According to a Global Market Insights report, the African e-learning sector is expected to reach a market value of US$1.8bn by 2024.
