Computer Science Education in Africa

Tentative Author List:

  • Engineer Bainomugisha, Makerere University, Uganda
  • Ethel Tshukudu, University of Botswana, Botswana
  • Karen Bradshaw, Rhodes University, South Africa
  • Martin Ujakpa, Ghana Communication Technology University, Ghana

Scope:

Computer Science education in Africa has evolved over the past decade. The number of institutions offering a distinct undergraduate program has grown, resulting in an increase in the number of students enrolling in the Computer Science discipline. Several Computer science degree programs have emerged with the objective of meeting the growing demand for local talent and skills. In this paper, we provide insights into the drivers for the evolution of undergraduate Computer Science education in Africa over the past 20+ years and an overview of the recent developments in Computer Science education in eastern, western and southern Africa. The setup of education institutions in Africa and the operational context require unique modalities for the design and delivery of computer science education that meet the demands of the industry among others. We provide a synthesis of the commonalities and best practices in the Computer Science curricula across the regions. We then highlight the common pedagogical and delivery approaches to Computer Science education across different institutions and regions. We then outline the current and emerging opportunities. We highlight case studies from institutions in selected countries including Uganda, South Africa, Ghana, Botswana, Rwanda, and Kenya. We provide perspectives on the future landscape of Computer Science.

Contact: Engineer Bainomugisha