NIGERIA – ScholarX, an ed-tech startup, has partnered mobile operator Airtel to launch LearnAM, a new mobile learning platform that provides skills training content to improve learning outcomes.
Launched in Nigeria in July 2016, the ScholarX app allows users to select parameters and scroll through lists of available scholarships that match their requirements.
The initial version of the LearnAM app has been developed on KaiOS and will be available on affordable “smart-feature phones” with content in local dialects such as Pidgin English, Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa.
LearnAM provides audio and visual content to improve digital and vocational skills of Africans so they can access decent work.
It employs a 360-degree approach as it provides learning opportunities, assessment to measure competency, and a marketplace that connects users to jobs, customers and apprenticeships.
“We are committed to building a more skilled workforce focusing on the growing young, and not-so-young adult population who are looking to upskill or simply improve their standard of living.”
Bola Lawal – Co-founder and CEO, ScholarX
ScholarX will leverage on the expansive retail and digital footprints of Airtel Nigeria to deliver its skill acquisition content.
“We are now able to embark on our quest to connect millions of unconnected people in Africa to the Internet and help them get trained in valuable skills for the new digital economy,” said Bola Lawal, co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO) at ScholarX.
“We are committed to building a more skilled workforce focusing on the growing young, and not-so-young adult population who are looking to upskill or simply improve their standard of living.”
The startup has taken part in a host of accelerators in the last couple of years, including the Cape Town-based Injini ed-tech incubator and the Google Launchpad Africa accelerator, as well as secured pre-seed funding.
Recently, it was announced as one of the grantees of the GSMA Innovation Fund for Mobile Internet Adoption and Digital Inclusion, and it will use the capital to fund key components of its project with Airtel, including platform development, content development and sourcing, and early user adoption.
SchloarX and other winners will be awarded an equity-free grant of between £100,000 (US$137,000) to £250,000 (US$344,000) as part of the GSMA Innovation Fund. The fund is provided by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
They will also receive GSMA full support to help them realise their full socio-economic and commercial potential over the next 18 months.
The support will include promoting partnerships between mobile operators and the winners to increase the reach of mobile internet to new first-time users.
