The Open Institute of Technology (OPIT), a European-accredited online university based in Malta, has announced its commitment to nurturing a new generation of African artificial intelligence (AI) experts.
With demand for AI skills growing globally by 38% between 2020 and 2024, according to LinkedIn’s 2025 Future of Work Report, OPIT is positioning itself as a leading provider of flexible, practical training for African professionals.
Recognising the African Union’s continental AI strategy, which calls for accelerated investment in digital infrastructure, skills development and AI research, OPIT is offering remote degree programmes in AI, data science, computer science, digital business and cybersecurity. The aim is to build capacity on the continent while helping local professionals stay embedded in their communities.
“From the beginning, our mission has been to offer a curriculum that meets the world’s most urgent demand in tech skills by focusing on their applications in the real world,” said Riccardo Ocleppo, founder of OPIT, speaking from Milan. “While our programmes serve professionals across Europe, North America, and the world—OPIT students come from 78 countries—we’re especially proud to support fast-growing tech ecosystems in Africa.”
African students from Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa and Rwanda are increasingly enrolling in OPIT’s courses. One of them is Watson Ndethi, a Nairobi-based IT engineer who joined OPIT’s MSc in Responsible Artificial Intelligence in 2024. He praised the model’s flexibility: “OPIT’s blended model combines optional weekly live sessions with expertly curated asynchronous study materials, allowing you to fit a high-quality, accredited graduate programme into your already demanding work schedule.”
The GROWTH of OPIT’s reach into Africa comes as AI becomes a central pillar in efforts to solve challenges in healthcare, agriculture, education and climate change. OPIT’s model, which combines affordability with hands-on learning and global standards, enables students to remain in their home countries while gaining internationally recognised qualifications.
In March 2025, OPIT held its first global graduation, awarding degrees to 40 students from six continents, many of whom completed the flagship MSc in Applied Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. The institution now has over 300 students enrolled and offers degrees aligned with EU standards.
“Studying remotely while continuing meaningful work at home makes OPIT a powerful option for working professionals,” added Ocleppo, who sees Africa as a key region in the global tech workforce of the future.
OPIT’s student-first approach includes access to live classes, masterclasses, quizzes, internally developed digital content and 24/7 tutoring. The institution says it will continue expanding in Africa through tailored support for regional learners and partnerships with innovation hubs.
