Why Join the Data Academy?
Designed for participants from diverse backgrounds - no prior technical experience required.
6-Week Intensive
Structured, focused curriculum designed to get you job-ready fast
Live Online Sessions
Weekly live classes on Google Meet, recorded and shared for future reference
Expert Tutors
Learn from leading African linguists and NLP practitioners
Certification
Earn a certificate upon completing 75% attendance and program requirements
No Prior Experience
Open to all backgrounds - engineers, linguistics, communities, or complete beginners
Code of Conduct
A respectful, inclusive, and professionally moderated learning environment
Program Overview
This program is designed to be completed over 6 weeks through a blend of live online sessions, self-paced reading materials, and interactive projects.
All live sessions are conducted via Google Meet links shared through Google Classroom, where you will find all course materials, assignments, and resources.
Live sessions run on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM WAT (7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EAT), accommodating participants across various African time zones.
Every live session includes a compulsory 10-minute break after the first 45 minutes. All classes are recorded, transcribed, and shared via email.
Session Details
- Tuesdays and/or Thursdays, weekly
- 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM WAT / 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EAT
- All materials via Google Classroom
- Certificate upon 75% attendance completion
What You Will Learn
By the end of the program, participants will be able to:
- Appreciate the linguistic diversity of African languages and their cultural significance
- Understand the fundamentals of data collection, annotation, and validation
- Apply no-code tools and techniques to curate African language data for AI applications
- Critically evaluate the ethical considerations around African language data
- Contribute meaningfully to open-source African language datasets
Assessments
- In-class quizzes at tutors discretion
- Take-home assignments given on Thursdays, due Monday 11:59 PM WAT
- Capstone project in Week 6
Curriculum Structure
7 sessions across 6 weeks, covering everything from African linguistics to capstone project delivery.
Kick-off Event & Prerequisites
Orientation, program overview, and prerequisite materials to get you started.
African Languages & Linguistics for NLP
Explore the linguistic diversity of African languages and their role in natural language processing.
Introduction to Data & AI Fundamentals
Core concepts of data science and artificial intelligence applied to language.
African Data Collection & Preparation
Hands-on techniques for collecting, cleaning, and preparing African language data.
Data Ethics and Governance
Critical frameworks for ethical data practices, consent, and responsible AI.
Data Annotation Tools & Techniques
Practical training on industry-standard no-code annotation tools and workflows.
Capstone Project
Apply everything you have learned in a final project that contributes to open-source African language datasets.
Your Tutors
Each module has a dedicated primary tutor and a secondary backup tutor.
| Week | Module | Primary Tutor | Secondary Tutor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Kick-off Event | TBA | TBA |
| Week 1 | African Languages & Linguistics for NLP | TBA | TBA |
| Week 2 | Introduction to Data & AI Fundamentals | TBA | TBA |
| Week 3 | African Data Collection & Preparation | TBA | TBA |
| Week 4 | Data Ethics and Governance | TBA | TBA |
| Week 5 | Data Annotation Tools & Techniques | TBA | TBA |
| Week 6 | Capstone Project | TBA | TBA |
Technical Requirements
- Laptop or desktop computer
- Stable internet connection
- A Google account
- Join all class links before deadline
Communication Channels
- Course materials and assignments via Google Classroom
- WhatsApp group for announcements and informal discussions
- All live classes recorded and shared via email
- Support: Email academy@tonative.org for any questions or issues
Ready to Shape the Future of African AI?
Join the next cohort of the Tonative Data Academy. No prior experience required, just a passion for African languages and AI.
- 6 weeks of live instruction
- Access to all course materials
- Expert tutor support
- Certificate of completion
- WhatsApp community access
- Recorded class replays
Questions? Email academy@tonative.org