Africa’s education landscape is undergoing a profound shift, powered by entrepreneurs who are expanding access, rethinking learning models, and equipping young people with skills for a fast-changing world.
These founders are reshaping how Africans learn, from early childhood development to leadership training and digital skills.
— Fred Swaniker (Ghana): Founder of the African Leadership Group, Swaniker leads a continent-wide ecosystem, ALA, ALU, and ALX, focused on leadership, skills training, and future-readiness. His platforms have trained thousands of young Africans through innovative, flexible learning models.
— Adewale Yusuf (Nigeria): Co-founder of AltSchool Africa, Yusuf is broadening access to skills-based education across engineering, data, product, business, and the creative economy. AltSchool’s growing AI-driven programs aim to prepare millions of Africans for emerging digital opportunities.
— Sim Shagaya (Nigeria): Founder of uLesson, Shagaya delivers accessible K–12 digital learning through video lessons, quizzes, and live support. uLesson serves students across West Africa, helping families overcome barriers in traditional school systems.
— Nisha Ligon (Tanzania): Co-founder of Ubongo, Ligon drives Africa’s leading edutainment platform, producing localized animated content that teaches STEM, literacy, and life skills. Ubongo reaches millions of children weekly through TV, radio, and mobile.
— Oluwatobi Godonu Akapo (Nigeria): Founder of Edswot Consulting Limited, Akapo runs a multi-curriculum tutoring platform spanning British, American, Canadian, Irish, and Nigerian systems. Edswot supports students seeking personalized learning across diverse academic paths.
These entrepreneurs show how innovation, persistence, and a deep commitment to learning can transform education systems across Africa, shaping future-ready generations and driving long-term socio-economic growth.
The entrepreneurs featured were selected based on active projects and measurable contributions to Africa’s education sector as of August 2025. Selection criteria included scale of impact, innovation in learning delivery, leadership, and verified relevance within the education ecosystem.
Information was sourced from company announcements, institutional reports, and credible media platforms to ensure accuracy and replicability by editors.
Image Credit: ThoughtCo
