A free mobile app has been launched with the goal of helping 26 million Africans improve their skillsets by 2026.

The Trace Academia app provides courses relevant to the energy, beauty, fashion, DIY, digital marketing, hospitality, creative arts, journalism, film and technology industries. It will offer more general courses on entrepreneurship, public speaking and personal wellness.

IT News Africa reports that each course has been designed in collaboration with industry-leading organisations. The app was developed by Trace, a global multimedia platform that provides marketing support to music artists. Trace Academia is the edtech division of Trace.

Olivier Laouchez, co-founder and executive chairman of Trace, says the courses can be used to kickstart careers. ‘I strongly believe that their current circumstances should never be a hindrance to their success. Users can learn at their own pace, in their own time, and customise their journey to the emergent demands they face as they navigate the world of work.’

The app is available on Android and iOS, and courses are featured in English and French, with Portuguese soon to follow.

It was developed with support from the Mastercard Foundation as part of its Young Africa Works strategy to provide 30 million young people access to employment by 2030.

3 May 2022
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