Nigeria’s young workforce fuels surge in digital skills, GenAI learning – Coursera Report
With 70% of its population under 35, Nigeria is well-placed to meet the escalating demand for digital expertise. For instance, network and cybersecurity skills alone are expected to grow by a staggering 87% in Nigeria by 2030.
The report highlights a remarkable 98% year-over-year increase in GenAI course enrollments in Nigeria, alongside a 22% rise in Professional Certificate enrollments. This trend mirrors global patterns, where GenAI is the fastest-growing skill category on Coursera.
Mobile learning plays a crucial role in this transformation.
An impressive 73% of Nigerian learners access Coursera via mobile devices—the highest rate among countries featured in the report—fueled by the nation’s 230 million smartphone connections.
This mobile-first approach is key to expanding access to quality education across both urban and rural areas. Government initiatives, such as the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative, are also actively boosting this momentum by equipping Nigerians with high-demand skills like software engineering and data analysis.
Beyond Nigeria, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is also experiencing a digital learning boom. The region now boasts over 8 million Coursera learners, representing a 20% increase from the previous year, marking the fastest growth globally.
Mobile learning is similarly dominant across SSA, with 65% of learners using their devices.
Countries like Botswana are leading efforts in gender parity in digital learning, with women comprising half of all learners. South Africa, with its robust digital infrastructure and active AI programs, has also seen a significant 134% jump in GenAI enrollments, showcasing the region’s strong embrace of emerging technologies despite challenges like the gender gap in advanced tech fields.
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