MTN Skills Academy: Free Digital Skills Training for African Students & Job Seekers

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The MTN Skills Academy is a free digital skills training initiative by the MTN Group, created to equip young Africans with job-ready technology and business skills at no cost.

While it is not a traditional tuition-paying scholarship, the MTN Skills Academy functions as a fully funded skills scholarship, covering the full cost of training and offering certificates that significantly improve employability.

The programme is especially beneficial for polytechnic, technical college, and tertiary institution students, as well as graduates and job seekers looking to build practical digital skills.

About the MTN Skills Academy

The MTN Skills Academy was launched to help bridge Africa’s growing digital skills gap by providing free access to in-demand, industry-relevant courses.

It is particularly valuable because:

• No tuition or registration fees
• No university degree required
• Practical, job-focused learning
• Flexible, self-paced online training
• Certificates that support jobs, internships, freelancing, and entrepreneurship

The programme is open in several MTN-operating African countries, including Nigeria.

Who Can Apply? (Eligibility)

You can apply if you:

• Are a polytechnic, technical college, or tertiary institution student
• Are a graduate or job seeker seeking digital skills
• Have basic reading and computer literacy
• Live in an MTN-operating African country
• Have access to a smartphone or computer with internet

No CGPA requirement
No application fee
No prior tech experience required

Benefits of the MTN Skills Academy

Participants gain access to:

• 100% free digital and professional training
• Courses aligned with current labour market needs
• Industry-recognized certificates
• Self-paced online learning
• Skills relevant for employment, freelancing, and entrepreneurship

For polytechnic students, this can be more impactful than cash scholarships because it builds long-term earning potential.

Courses Available

Courses vary by country and cohort but typically include:

• Software and app development fundamentals
• Data analysis and digital literacy
• Business and entrepreneurship skills
• Communication and workplace readiness
• Financial and digital inclusion training

All courses are designed for beginners and intermediate learners, with practical explanations and real-world applications.

How to Apply for the MTN Skills Academy

Follow these steps:

1. Visit the official MTN Skills Academy portal
2. Click Sign In / Register
3. Select your country
4. Create an account using your email
5. Complete onboarding
6. Choose a course and start learning

Application Deadline

• Open year-round
• Enrollment is ongoing
• You can apply and start learning at any time

There is no fixed deadline, unlike traditional scholarships.

Why the MTN Skills Academy Matters for Polytechnic Students

Many scholarship programmes focus only on universities, leaving polytechnic students behind.

The MTN Skills Academy helps close this gap by:

• Supporting technical and practical education
• Prioritising skills over paper qualifications
• Preparing learners for digital and remote work
• Complementing polytechnic education with high-demand skills

For students in engineering, ICT, business, or technical fields, this programme adds real career value.