Trace and Mastercard launch free mobile learning app

The mobile app aims to equip about 26 million young Africans to acquire on-demand, market-relevant skills. The tool is available on Android and iOS and has been tested in four African countries. It can be accessed in English and French, with plans to launch in Portuguese soon.

Trace Academia features technical courses from across 15 different industries including creative arts, energy, beauty, fashion, DIY, digital marketing, hospitality, journalism, film and technology. Other courses featured are relevant to entrepreneurship, public speaking and personal wellness. Each course has been designed in collaboration with an industry-leading organisation to ensure its relevance to employers and the job market.

The course content and other tools on the platform were developed by Trace as well as a coalition of leading corporations and organisations including Google, the L’Oréal Foundation, AFD, UNESCO, Orange, Canal+, SACEM, Visa, Schneider Electric, Durex, Leroy Merlin, Bureau Veritas, the Ford Foundation, Afreximbank and Accor-Kasada. Other partners include the African Union, the French Ministry of Finance, the University of Johannesburg, Senghor University, Valued Citizens, TPG, Satya Capital, BDD Software, Bain&Co and Havas, among others.

“This free, easy-to-use app aims to train 26 million African youth by 2026 with the skills they need to find or create work and the opportunities to kick-start their careers,” Trace co-founder and chairperson Olivier Laouchez said. “I strongly believe that their current circumstances should never be a hindrance to their success.

“Two things are particularly exciting about Trace Academia. One, is that the platform offers young people total flexibility and control over their learning. 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. Second, the courses are deeply practical and designed in collaboration with market-leading organisations to ensure they are industry relevant.

Mastercard Foundation chief programme officer Peter Materu said: “The Mastercard Foundation is pleased to support this platform as part of our Young Africa Works strategy to enable 30 million young people to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030. The new platform represents an important contribution to the youth employment agenda in Africa. As the youngest continent in the world, with nearly 65% of its population under the age of 25, Africa is home to the workforce of the future, and with the right skills and opportunities, young people will be the continent’s greatest drivers of transformation.