Africa is home to many world-class institutions which offer training and degrees to enable individuals to start a career in the technology sector. These IT skills are highly sought after by employers and have a high-paying potential. For instance, an average mid-level software engineer earns about $134, 449 per year and may decide to opt for remote, hybrid, or on-site work in reputable companies or startups.
What are IT Skills?
IT skills are the skill sets needed to use computers and other technology devices to complete various tasks. These include:
- Cloud computing
- Data analysis
- Software engineering
- Mobile application development
- DevOps
- Machine learning
- Artificial intelligence
- Robotics
- Network and security
- Etc.
List of Top IT Schools in Africa
1. The University of Cape Town, South Africa
The University of Cape Town is a top-ranking university in Africa that offers world-class IT training and development opportunities to both undergraduate and graduate students through a variety of programs. Unemployed Individuals can benefit from both academic courses and boot camps at the University of Cape Town. This university offers the following IT courses:
- Artificial intelligence (MSc)
- Data science (MSc)
- Information technology (MSc program which comprises a technology-based curriculum such as mobile application development, and software development).
Students from non-IT backgrounds are encouraged to study any of these IT programs at the University of Cape Town. The university also offers 6-week online short courses in information technology (software engineering and mobile application), data analysis, digital marketing, data science, cyber security, and business analytics.
2. NIIT-Nigeria
NIIT is a Digital skills development institute located in Nigeria, USA, UK, USA and other parts of the world. It has trained over 35 million individuals from both technical and non-technical backgrounds. This Institute has received numerous awards for being among the best IT training institutes in the world. NIIT offers many IT programs which includes
- Software engineering
- Machine Learning
- Artificial Intelligence
- Data analytics
- Digital marketing
- Block chain development
Students build various projects and earn a certificate at the end of the training period. NIIT also partners with other corporations to build full-stack developers at large scale.
3. Higher School of Computing and Technologies of the Supdeco Group, Senegal
The school of computer science and technology at Supdeco, Senegal trains individuals in IT programs such as masters in software engineering and masters in network systems and security. Students who graduate from this institution are creative, digital savvy, and design innovative solutions that are tailored to meet the needs of diverse employers in different sectors such as transport, government, banks, and communications.
4. ALTSchool Africa
ALT School is more an online-base skill training platform with presence in major African cities. Individuals from technical and non-technical backgrounds can learn IT skills online or on-site by enrolling in the ALTSchool Africa program for one year. Students receive theoretical knowledge and practical skills by working on various projects. The IT specializations include:
- Software engineering
- Data engineering and analytics
- Cloud computing/engineering
- UX design
- Digital Marketing
5. Pretoria University, South Africa
Students can learn the IT skills of their choice by enrolling at Pretoria University. The university is renowned for its excellence in information technology, software engineering, and computer science.
Some of the IT degrees offered by the University of Pretoria include:
- Software engineering (Master of engineering)
- Master’s in information technology (Big Data Science)
- Master’s in computer science which comprises big data science, cyber security, and machine learning courses.
The University of Pretoria offers cyber security short courses which provide critical cyber security skills such as privacy, authentication, confidentiality, integrity, and authorization.
6. Cairo University, Egypt
The Faculty of Computers and Artificial Intelligence of this university provides quality training and research in the field of artificial intelligence. Its most recent achievements include creating a search engine for Covid 19 research. Students also network with professionals through events and workshops such as the Google Developer Student Clubs (GDSC) and other capacity-building programs for technical development.
IT programs offered by Cairo University include:
- Masters in artificial intelligence
- Masters in software engineering
- Masters in data engineering
7. ApTech, Nigeria
Aptech is one of the best IT training institutes in Nigeria, and indeed Africa most especially due to how they offer distant/home learning and training. This is complemented with their 14 modern, computerized automation centres located in various locations in the country.
ApTech offers top-notch training in various fields of information technology; their IT courses include NET, Networking, Java, Oracle, Mobile/Web Application Development, Cloud computing and Enterprise. Â ApTech graduates are equipped with practical experience and learn current trends in the field of technology, making them to excel in their fields of work.
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8. University of Mauritius
The University of Mauritius and the University of Arizona offer dual master’s degrees to students who are interested in studying cybersecurity. Students receive rigorous hands-on training in cyber operations and cloud computing. Graduates of cyber security go on to work in law enforcement agencies, banks, and other industries around the world. The University of Mauritius offers the following IT programs:
- Bachelor’s degree in cyber security and forensics
- Master’s degree in cyber security and Pen testing
- Bachelor of Science in Software engineering
9. Institut Ucac – Icam, Cameroon
This institute is located in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Individuals are trained to become experts through a problem-based learning curriculum that allows students to solve real-world technical challenges. The school offers IT programs such as software engineering, networks, systems, and security.
10. Mulungushi University (MU), Zambia
Master’s and bachelor’s programs at Mulungushi University are tailored to equip graduates that will make them employable in many organizations as cybersecurity specialists, data scientists, and machine learning (artificial intelligence) consultants. Students must build projects in these IT specializations before. can be certified. The university of Mulungushi offers the following IT programs:
- Master of Information Technology (Distance learning)
- Master of Science (MSc) in Cyber Security (Full time and Distance learning)
- Master of Science (MSc) in Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence (Full time and Distance learning)
- Master of Science (MSc) in Data Science and Big Data (Full time and Distance learning)
11. Ain Shams University, Egypt
This university trains students to be experts in the fields of cybersecurity and machine learning through hands-on training and technical education for 4 years of bachelor’s study. Ain Shams University is Internationally recognized for its specialized applications of standards in machine learning and cybersecurity fields.
12. The University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Through its masters of information technology program, the University of Johannesburg offers masters courses in the following IT specialization:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Artificial Immune Systems
- Information Technology Security​
- Information Technology Governance
- Services Computing
- Computer informatics and software engineering
This enables students to be experts in any specialization they choose. The students are trained for 2 years.
13. Covenant University, Nigeria
This university is one of the best in terms of IT training and education. It trains graduates to solve digital challenges in society rather than consume knowledge. Students learn a curriculum that comprises programming, artificial intelligence, computer networking, computer architecture, and electronic circuit design. The University produces a large number of software engineers every year that go on to be successful entrepreneurs or work in different companies.
14. ENSIT School of Computer Science Engineering, Ivory Coast
ENSIT is an engineering school which is located in Abidjan. It trains individuals in software engineering, business intelligence, and security. The school has trained more than 671 IT professionals and receives support from international organizations such as UNESCO to continuously give the best in terms of IT training every year.
15. PIGIER-BÉNIN, Benin
This educational institution offers world-class IT education to students through a four-year program in license in networks and software engineering. It equips individuals to tackle real-world technical problems. In the third year of study, students intern as junior software engineers at different companies. This gives them valuable experience and makes them employable. This institution is a member of the prestigious LA COMPAGNIE DE FORMATION in France that fosters quality technical education.
16. Nelson Mandela University, South Africa
Nelson Mandela University offers a three-year diploma in software engineering to train students on how to solve the tech needs of small businesses and large corporations by using programming language and data analytics tools to design innovative apps and online client-server solutions. Nelson Mandela Cisco Academy trains students in cybersecurity, programming languages, and IoT.
17. Ivorian Institute of Technology, Ivory Coast
This institute is located in the UNESCO world heritage site of Grand-Bassam. It trains students in all aspects of software development, network systems, and security. Students who cannot afford the tuition fees can get a scholarship to learn at this institute. The goal of this institute is to aid innovation, technological transformation, and digital entrepreneurship in Africa.
18. University of Witwatersrand, South Africa
A bachelor’s degree in information engineering adequately caters for students’ digital needs. The University trains students in IT fields such as software engineering, telecommunications, and computer networking. This is a full-time 4-year program where students learn how to design and develop innovative software.
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19. Essitech International, Burkina Faso
This institution caters for the need of many IT industries by training students to become high-level professionals in software development, big data analytics, network security, and cloud computing. This is a four-year program. Its training emphasizes majorly on the innovative design and production of software. Through its collaboration with different international and local companies, students get employment and networking opportunities.
20. PIDERC Specialization Institute (ISP), Cameroon
This private educational institute is one of the best in Africa. It offers a professional license in Software Engineering (LPGL) Students are trained to become experts in web development, network, multimedia and distributed systems knowledge, and cloud computing. This makes graduates of this institute have a high employability rate in Africa and around the world.