Africa is the world’s second-largest continent after Asia. It has 54 United Nations member states, while the African Union has 55 member states. The continent includes deserts, rainforests, savannas, and many other landscapes.
Higher education systems vary across Africa. Students interested in data science can find university programs in several countries, including Egypt, Morocco, Namibia, Somalia, and Tanzania.
Data science is an interdisciplinary field. The universities below offer programs in data science, data science and artificial intelligence, or big data analytics.
In this guide, we will look at top universities offering data science-related programs in Africa.
Top Schools Offering Data Science in Africa
1. American University in Cairo
The American University in Cairo (AUC) is an independent, nonprofit, English-language institution founded in 1919. It is accredited in Egypt and the United States.
AUC introduced its Bachelor of Science in Data Science program in 2019 as the first undergraduate data science program of its kind in Egypt and the Arab world. The program covers areas such as mathematics, statistics, machine learning, databases, and programming.
2. Al Akhawayn University
Al Akhawayn University is an independent, public, not-for-profit university in Ifrane, Morocco. Founded by royal decree in 1993, it welcomed its first students in January 1995. English is the language of instruction.
The university’s School of Science and Engineering offers a Bachelor of Science in Big Data Analytics and a Master of Science in Big Data Analytics. The bachelor’s program includes courses such as Big Data Engineering and Visualization, Statistical Analysis, Machine Learning and Data Mining, and Data Warehousing. The master’s program covers areas such as data engineering and visualization, descriptive statistics, machine learning, and web and text mining. It also includes a final project.
3. Namibia University of Science and Technology
Headquartered in Windhoek, the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) is a publicly funded institution of higher learning. Formerly known as the Polytechnic of Namibia, NUST was renamed in 2015.
NUST has four faculties: the Faculty of Computing and Informatics; the Faculty of Commerce, Human Sciences and Education; the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment; and the Faculty of Health, Natural Resources and Applied Sciences.
The Faculty of Computing and Informatics offers a two-year Master of Data Science program that can be taken full time or part time. Application fees may apply, so prospective students should review the university’s admissions page for current instructions and fees.
4. Jamhuriya University of Science and Technology
Mogadishu is home to Jamhuriya University of Science and Technology (JUST), a private institution officially established in 2011.
JUST’s current Center for Graduate Studies page highlights an M.Sc. in Data Science & AI. The university’s navigation also lists a separate Master of Science in Data Science page, so applicants should review the current graduate-program information or contact JUST for the latest curriculum and duration.
5. University of Dar es Salaam
The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) is Tanzania’s oldest and biggest public university. It traces its origins to October 25, 1961, and became a full-fledged university in 1970.
The university’s Department of Computer Science and Engineering offers a two-year Master of Science in Data Science program. For direct entry, applicants need an undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related field from an institution recognized by the Tanzania Commission for Universities. Applicants must have at least a lower second-class award and a GPA of at least 2.7 out of 5. Equivalent-entry routes are also available.
Hopefully, this article on universities offering data science programs in Africa was helpful and informative. Make sure to also check out the Data Science Programs for International Students to learn more!
