Accredited Cisco Networking Academy · East Africa
An accredited Cisco Networking Academy: networking, cybersecurity, AI and IoT — learned by building, with mentors, real projects and course certificates.
Supported by AFRALTI · Based in Mukono, Uganda · Learn online, free to start
Accreditation & Support
Cisco Networking Academy
AFRALTI Academy Support Centre
Bishop Stuart University
Cavendish University Uganda
Our labs run on industry-standard hardware, including NVIDIA RTX GPUs and AMD Ryzen processors.
Build Your Future
AZK Cisco Academy
Master the technologies driving the future. Learn through hands-on labs and earn Cisco course certificates and digital badges in cybersecurity, networking, AI, cloud, data science, programming and IT — career-ready skills for the world's fastest-growing digital industries.
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An immersive programme that equips students with hands-on technical skills through the "Plan to Feedback" operational lifecycle powered by AI and VR simulations.
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Master By Doing
Go beyond theory and build a production-ready portfolio through mentored, independent projects — every specialised track anchored to a real-world Sustainable Development Goal. Tackle real engineering challenges with seasoned professionals and turn your technical mastery into measurable impact.
Apply to a TrackOur learning platform
Step into the Akili za Kesho virtual studio: guided, hands-on labs grounded in real East African cases — from mobile-money fraud to the maize harvest — with an AI coach beside you.
No card needed to start. Works in your browser.
Real simulations you build, break and fix — not slides.
Networks, ethical hacking, cyber defence, AI, machine learning and IoT.
Guides your thinking step by step instead of handing you answers.
Earn a Certificate of Competency by passing a graded challenge.
Robotics
Our learners design and simulate robots for real problems, then prove a human did the thinking: they rebuild it unaided and solve a fresh problem.
How it works
Cisco Academy courses, the 4IR internship, or a mentored project track — pick what fits your goals.
A short form, no fee to apply. We review every application and reply by email. You only pay once you're accepted.
Hands-on labs, real projects and mentors — finishing with course certificates, digital badges and a portfolio you can show.
Upcoming Events
Future-focused sessions, workshops, bootcamps, hackathons and masterclasses.
A Founder Focused Series by Leaders Who Build
What You Will Learn
Watch & Learn
Explore highlights, conversations, and practical insights from our programmes and community.
Our Context
We work alongside Uganda's Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MoSTI) to help close the gap between a young, fast-growing population and the skilled talent East Africa's economy needs. Aligned with Uganda’s Vision 2040, we transform potential into practical capability through hands-on project engineering, Cisco courses and capacity building equipping software engineers and innovators with future-ready skills to build sustainable tech solutions across East Africa.
60%
Population Under 18
32M
People in Uganda
51%
Female Population
90%
Private Sector ( Micro/Small Enterprise )
From Our Leadership
“I believe Africa's future will be built by its own innovators. Every virtual lab, every mentorship session, and every hands-on project we run is designed to put real tools in the hands of young Africans and let them build the solutions this continent actually needs.”
Edison Kagona
Founder & Managing Director, Akili za Kesho
In the Field
From robotics championships to community engagement and hands-on learning, see what innovation looks like on the ground across East Africa.
Innovators Roundtable
2026 Cohort
WRO 2025
Climate Action (ACS2)
Workshop Day
WRO 2025 Gratitude
Community Engagement
Bamboo Innovations
Partner voices
“Akili za Kesho represents exactly the kind of grassroots innovation ecosystem Africa needs to build investor-ready talent.”
Nshuti Elve
Investors Club Ltd
“Their approach to bridging technology and nature is not just visionary, it is the model for sustainable African development.”
Elizabeth S. Glenn
US Africa Collaborative
“I have rarely seen a programme that so effectively combines technical rigour with real-world community impact at this scale.”
John Brittell
Venture Partner
“The 4IR internship cohort is producing graduates who are genuinely ready for the demands of the modern digital economy.”
Ruth Karachi Benson Oji
Associate Professor, Digital Media
“What sets Akili za Kesho apart is their unwavering commitment to sustainability and community-centred innovation.”
Katherine Lacefield
Founder, Just Be Cause Consulting
“Edison and his team have built something special, a platform where African talent can finally compete and win on the global stage.”
Alex Snider
Strategic Growth Architect
Questions
Yes. We are an accredited Cisco Networking Academy, supported by AFRALTI, Bishop Stuart University and Cavendish University Uganda.
About the Cisco Academy →Our hub is in Mukono District, Uganda. You can also learn online on our learning platform — 60 hands-on labs across six tracks, with an AI coach — from anywhere.
Open the learning platform →Choose a programme and apply online — there is no fee to apply. We review every application and reply by email. Fees are only due once you are accepted, and you receive an invoice and receipt.
Browse programmes →Yes — every Cisco Academy course ends with a Cisco course certificate and digital badge, and on our learning platform you earn a verifiable Certificate of Competency by passing a graded challenge. We focus on training: certification exams (for example CCNA) are taken separately — for example at our partner AFRALTI.
Yes — we partner with institutions on training, internships and innovation programmes. Tell us what you need and we will put together a proposal.
Partner with us →Still have a question? Contact us
The AZK learning platform
60 hands-on labs, an AI coach and verifiable certificates, right in your browser.
