BY MBONGENI NDLELA
EZULWINI – About 2,500 app licenses are up for grabs at MTN Eswatini Skills Academy.
These licenses are free and have been paid for by the telephony company.
The good news was revealed by the Head of Corporate Services at MTN Sibusiso Nhleko during the company’s breakfast meeting with the media today, 8 August 2024. The event took place at MTN Headquarters in Ezulwini.
Nhleko explained before a full house of journalists that one of MTN’s key focuses was how they can leverage their strength to digital businesses.
He said as a technology company, their strength is networks and platforms.
“Looking at the future, we say the new literacy is no longer the ability to read and write but instead one’s ability to use digital skills and digital platforms,” he said.
Nhleko stated that MTN was also focusing on developing digital skills across Africa.
“That is why now we have the MTN skills academy which is an app, a platform we have developed,” disclosed Nhleko.
He said the MTN Skills Academy has accredited programs from COURSERA from all the international universities.
COURSERA is an American global massive open online course provider. It was founded in 2012 by Stanford University computer science professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller. COURSERA works with universities and other organizations to offer online courses, certifications, and degrees in a variety of subjects.
Nhleko stated that MTN has already paid for thelicensess.
“So when you register for free, you can go in there and do your program and complete then you have an accredited certificate,” he said.
Nhleko further revealed that currently there are 200 Emaswati who have completed pre-course programs at the Academy. He said as a company they believe there is still a huge opportunity for Eswatini youth to make use of the program and start creating their jobs.
Giving an example, Nhleko said with the use of digital skills, one can work for Amazon in the comfort of his/her home as long as he/she has data and a laptop.
He said MTN believes digital skill is the future
