Africa Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL)

What Africa Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL) does

ACETEL is a postgraduate academic center and department within the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria. Established in 2019 under the World Bank-funded Africa Centres of Excellence (ACE Impact) Project in partnership with the Association of African Universities (AAU) and Nigeria's National Universities Commission (NUC), the center focuses on technology-enhanced learning and capacity development in Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Management Information Systems. It operates as a World Bank-backed center of excellence rather than a commercial enterprise, with mgmt comprising a small team of nine listed personnel.

The center delivers six postgraduate degree programs (M.Sc. and Ph.D. in AI, Cybersecurity, and MIS) through fully online delivery, supported by seven specialized digital laboratories (AI Lab, Cybersecurity Lab, MIS Lab, VR Lab, IT Essential/Cisco Lab, Basic Lab, and Multimedia Lab), a virtual learning platform, and a Learning Content Management System (LCMS). It also operates a professional short-course portfolio including Cisco Networking Academy certifications (CCNA/CCNP), digital forensics training, and DevOps/Cloud Computing programs. Programs are delivered using multimedia resources (text, video, audio, VR) and a proctored virtual examination system with browser lockdown and randomized question pools.

Revenue is generated from three streams: tuition fees for postgraduate programs, fees from professional short courses, and grant funding through the World Bank ACE Impact Project. The center serves African postgraduate students, working professionals, and select government security personnel (DSS, Nigerian Army), with current enrollment spanning students from Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia, Cameroon, Uganda, and beyond. The center is currently constructing a dedicated World Bank-funded building and pursuing international accreditation through AQAS (Germany).

Name

Africa Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL)

Legal name

Africa Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL)

Website

https://acetel.nou.edu.ng

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ACETEL is a World Bank-funded postgraduate academic center within Nigeria's National Open University, delivering online M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs in AI, Cybersecurity, and MIS alongside professional short courses to African students and security personnel.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Postgraduate Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Computer Training (611420), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Information Technology (IT) & Cybersecurity Certifications (EDAAANAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Short-Term Certificate & Micro-Credential Programs (International) (EDAIAIAI)

Keywords

• Online higher education
• Postgraduate technology programs
• Professional certification courses
• E-learning platforms
• Cybersecurity training

Headquarters

HQ city

Abuja

HQ country

Nigeria

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Academic Program Fees: Revenue generated from student tuition fees for postgraduate programs (MSc and PhD) and professional short courses in AI, Cybersecurity, and Management Information Systems
2. World Bank and AAU Funding: Grant funding received through the ACE Impact Project partnership with World Bank and Association of African Universities for establishment and operational support
3. Short Course Programs: Revenue from professional short courses including Cisco networking courses, digital forensics, and other ICT training programs offered to students and professionals

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ACETEL is an online educational centre under the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) that delivers postgraduate degree programmes (MSc and PhD) in Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, and Management Information Systems, along with professional short courses and Cisco certifications. All programmes are delivered fully online through NOUN's virtual learning platform, supported by seven specialized digital laboratories (AI, Cybersecurity, MIS, VR, Cisco, Basic, Multimedia). The centre serves students from Nigeria and West African countries through distance and e-learning delivery.

Product overview

ACETEL operates as an educational centre offering a portfolio of postgraduate academic programmes (M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, and Management Information Systems) alongside professional certification courses (Cisco Networking Academy) and short courses covering cybersecurity, networking, cloud computing, IoT, programming, and DevOps. The Centre is supported by seven digital laboratories including AI, Cybersecurity, MIS, Virtual Reality, Multimedia, IT Essential, and Basic labs, all delivered through a virtual learning platform and Learning Content Management System (LCMS). Programmes are offered online with multimedia learning resources for students across Africa.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• M.Sc. Artificial Intelligence Postgraduate Master's degree programme in Artificial Intelligence delivered fully online to students across Africa, covering AI foundations, applications, and research methods, with proctored virtual examinations and access to the AI Lab.
• M.Sc. Cyber Security Postgraduate Master's degree programme in Cyber Security delivered online, focusing on digital security resilience, threat protection, and cybersecurity technologies, supported by the Cybersecurity Lab.
• M.Sc. Management Information Systems Postgraduate Master's degree programme in Management Information Systems covering information systems design, implementation, and management, delivered online with support from the MIS Lab.
• Ph.D Artificial Intelligence Doctoral degree programme in Artificial Intelligence for advanced research in AI applications and education transformation, delivered online to African researchers and professionals.
• Ph.D Cyber Security Doctoral degree programme in Cyber Security for advanced research in cybersecurity resilience, threat mitigation, and digital forensics, delivered online.
• Ph.D Management Information Systems Doctoral degree programme in Management Information Systems for advanced research in information systems design, implementation, and organizational impact, delivered online.
• Cisco Networking Academy Courses (CCNA/CCNP) Professional certification courses including CCNA Cyber Associate, CCNP, CCNA 2, and CCNA 3 delivered through ACETEL's Cisco Academy Lab, providing hands-on networking training and industry-recognized credentials.
• Short Course Programme Portfolio of professional short courses covering Introduction to Networks, Switching/Routing/Wireless, Enterprise Network Security & Automation, Cybersecurity Essentials, Cyber Ops, Linux Fundamentals, Programming Fundamentals, Cloud Computing, Database Management, Digital Literacy, Internet of Things, IT Essentials, Leadership and Project Management, Open Government Data, Infrastructure Automation, Containers/CI/CD, Kubernetes, Infrastructure as Code, and DevSecOps.
• Digital Forensic and Incident Response Course Five-day intensive training programme on digital forensics and incident response covering computer forensic fundamentals, evidence handling, acquisition and analysis tools, network forensics, mobile forensics, and forensic report writing. Delivered to security agencies (DSS, Nigerian Army) and professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2800+ individuals trained in ICT through short courses
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Association of African Universities (AAU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAU serves as the implementing partner for the ACE Impact Project, providing project management, supervision, and coordination of all ACE centers across Africa.
• National Universities Commission (NUC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNigeria's regulatory body for universities, NUC provides institutional oversight and accreditation support for ACETEL's academic programs.
• Cisco (Netacad)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with Cisco provides networking and cybersecurity courses through the Cisco Academy. ACETEL has a dedicated Cisco Laboratory and over 3000 students have been trained under this partnership.
• National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNOUN is the host institution providing administrative infrastructure, learning management systems, and academic governance for ACETEL programs.
• Digital Footprints LimitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for digital forensic and incident response short course programs offered to security personnel and professionals.
• CEFTER, Benue State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Centre for Food Technology and Research to organize IT training for participants in Benue State.
• The Learning SpaceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorICT capacity building company seeking partnership to offer short-course programs on Cloud Computing and Process Automation to ACETEL students.
• West and Central African Research and Education Network (WACREN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for digital education initiatives including hosting the WACREN 2024 Conference at NOUN and organizing Digital Education Day sessions.
• RETRIDOLminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional Training and Research Institute for Distance and Open Learning partnered with ACETEL for its 20th Anniversary celebration and ODL knowledge sharing.
• Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), MoroccominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudy visit to explore digital education, VR, and animation facilities for potential collaboration in instructional design and digital learning.
• Hassan 1 University, MoroccominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVisit to explore digital education strengths in entrepreneurship, health/nursing digital simulation, AI, and research innovation.
• GIFT.edminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiative bringing Global Awareness Programme (GAP) to Nigerian students in partnership with NUC and supported by World Bank.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Andela: African tech talent company that has pivoted from training to connecting African developers with global employment. Comparable to ACETEL's focus on building African tech talent, particularly through its internship programs and industry partnerships.

Direct peers

• HyperionDev: South Africa-based coding bootcamp offering online and in-person tech training programs across Africa. Comparable to ACETEL's short course and Cisco Academy offerings in delivering job-oriented technology certifications.
• ALX Africa: African tech training provider offering software engineering, data science, and AI programs across multiple African countries. Comparable to ACETEL's professional short courses and Cisco Academy offerings in targeting African learners with technology training.
• African Leadership University (ALU): Pan-African higher education institution offering tech-focused degree programs with campuses in Mauritius and Rwanda. Comparable to ACETEL in offering postgraduate tech education across Africa, though with a broader curriculum and different funding model.
• Moringa School: East African tech training institution offering full-stack web development and data science bootcamps. Comparable to ACETEL's short course programs in delivering technology skills training across Africa, with similar focus on employability outcomes.
• University of the People: Tuition-free, accredited online university offering degree programs in computer science and business administration. Comparable to ACETEL in providing accessible online higher education, particularly for underserved populations seeking tech credentials.

Broad incumbents

• edX: Global online learning platform founded by Harvard and MIT offering university-level courses and degrees. Comparable to ACETEL's online postgraduate programs, with broader global reach and established academic partnerships.
• Coursera: Global online learning platform partnering with universities to offer courses, certificates, and degrees. Comparable to ACETEL's online delivery model and certification programs, with broader geographic reach and established brand.
• University of South Africa (UNISA): Africa's largest open distance learning university with hundreds of thousands of enrolled students. Comparable to ACETEL's distance learning model through NOUN, though at much larger scale and broader program scope.

Regional players

• Open University of Tanzania: Tanzanian open and distance learning university offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Comparable to ACETEL in providing accessible higher education through distance learning in Africa, though with broader program scope and located in East Africa.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/acetelnoun
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/africacentreofexcellenceontechnologyenhancedlearning-acetel
• Instagraminstagram.com/acetelnoun?igsh=MWV6M3FlODg4MHV0eQ==

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Africa Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL)