Computer Basics and Digital Literacy
Start from zero: learn what a computer is, how its parts work, how to use it with confidence, and how to stay safe and healthy while you do.
- 18 lessons
- 3 h 18 min
- Certificate
Lumina Africa Foundation
LAF Academy: learn ICT skills for free
Free, practical courses in computer basics, Microsoft Office, email, digital marketing, online safety and more. Learn at your own pace, join live virtual classes with facilitators, test yourself and earn a certificate.
- 31Free courses
- 573Lessons
- 1Learners
- 0Certificates issued
How the Academy works
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Create your account
Sign up with your e-mail address and confirm it. It is free. -
Pick a course
Start with Computer Basics or choose the skill you need: Word, Excel, email, marketing and more. -
Learn and practise
Read the lessons, follow the practice activities and join virtual classes with a facilitator. -
Test and get certified
Take the quizzes, pass the final exam and download your certificate.
Free courses
Choose your course
Every course has short lessons with practice activities, a quiz after each module and a final exam. Pass the final exam to earn your certificate.
Using Windows and Managing Your Files
Learn to move around Windows with confidence, organise files and folders, personalise your settings and keep your computer healthy.
- 17 lessons
- 3 h 25 min
- Certificate
Microsoft Word: Documents from Zero
Learn to type, format and print professional documents in Microsoft Word: letters, CVs, reports and more. No experience needed.
- 20 lessons
- 4 h 38 min
- Certificate
Microsoft Excel: Spreadsheets from Zero
Learn Excel step by step: enter data, format it, write formulas, look things up, draw charts and build real budgets, mark sheets and stock lists.
- 20 lessons
- 5 h 2 min
- Certificate
Microsoft PowerPoint: Presentations that Work
Build clear, good-looking slide presentations in PowerPoint and deliver them with confidence, from the first slide to the final talk.
- 19 lessons
- 4 h 24 min
- Certificate
Typing and Keyboard Skills
Learn to type with all ten fingers, build speed and accuracy, use keyboard shortcuts, and meet the typing standards employers expect.
- 16 lessons
- 3 h 56 min
- Certificate
The Internet, Email and Online Communication
Learn how the internet works, search safely, set up and use email, write professional messages and join online meetings with confidence.
- 20 lessons
- 4 h 16 min
- Certificate
Google Workspace: Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive and Meet
Create, share and work together on documents, spreadsheets, presentations, forms and video meetings with Google's free online tools.
- 19 lessons
- 4 h 28 min
- Certificate
Digital Marketing Fundamentals
Learn how to promote a small business, project or NGO online: know your audience, create content, use search, email and ads, and measure what works.
- 18 lessons
- 4 h 26 min
- Certificate
Social Media Management and Design with Canva
Learn to run social media pages and design posters, posts, videos and flyers with Canva, even if you have never designed anything before.
- 17 lessons
- 4 h 19 min
- Certificate
Online Safety and Cybersecurity Basics
Protect your money, accounts, phone and reputation online. Learn to spot scams, build strong passwords, guard your privacy and know where to get help.
- 20 lessons
- 4 h 15 min
- Certificate
Job-Ready Digital Skills: CVs, LinkedIn and Online Work
Write a strong CV, build a LinkedIn profile, prepare for interviews and learn how to find online work and start earning from your digital skills.
- 19 lessons
- 4 h 24 min
- Certificate
Web Basics: Build Your First Web Page (HTML and CSS)
Learn how websites work and build your own from scratch with HTML and CSS: text, links, images, forms, layout, mobile-friendly design and a finished three-page site.
- 19 lessons
- 4 h 54 min
- Certificate
Introduction to Programming with Python
Learn to think like a programmer and write real Python: variables, decisions, loops, lists, dictionaries, functions, files and small projects such as a quiz game and an expense tracker.
- 20 lessons
- 5 h 15 min
- Certificate
Practical AI Tools: Using AI Assistants Wisely
Learn what AI is, how to write clear prompts, and how to use AI assistants for study, work and creative projects safely, honestly and with good judgement.
- 20 lessons
- 4 h 21 min
- Certificate
Computer Maintenance, Troubleshooting and Networking Basics
Learn how computers are built, how to care for them, fix common problems step by step, and set up and troubleshoot a safe home or small office network.
- 21 lessons
- 4 h 47 min
- Certificate
Excel for Data Analysis: PivotTables, Charts and Dashboards
Turn raw lists into answers: clean data, write analysis formulas, build PivotTables and charts, and finish with a one-page dashboard you can share.
- 18 lessons
- 5 h 15 min
- Certificate
Advanced Excel: Power Query, Power Pivot and Automation
Go beyond formulas: import and reshape data with Power Query, model it with Power Pivot and DAX, use dynamic arrays, and automate repeat work safely.
- 17 lessons
- 6 h 5 min
- Certificate
Databases and SQL for Beginners
Understand how databases store information and use SQL to ask questions, summarise results, join tables and change data safely, finishing with a small library project.
- 19 lessons
- 5 h 2 min
- Certificate
Data Analysis with Python: pandas and Charts
Use Python, pandas and matplotlib to load, clean, summarise and chart real-world data, then complete a full survey analysis project with ethical, privacy-aware habits.
- 20 lessons
- 5 h 25 min
- Certificate
JavaScript for Beginners: Make Web Pages Interactive
Learn JavaScript from the first line: variables, decisions, loops, functions, the DOM and events. Build a to-do list, tip calculator, quiz and tabs, then learn debugging and fetch.
- 18 lessons
- 5 h 6 min
- Certificate
Modern Web Development: JavaScript, APIs and Deployment
Go from basic scripts to real projects: modern JavaScript, working with APIs, Git and Node.js, quality and security, then publish your site online with free hosting.
- 17 lessons
- 5 h 30 min
- Certificate
Build a Website with WordPress
Plan, build, launch and look after a real website with WordPress, with no coding: pages, posts, design, plugins, security and a capstone site for a small NGO or business.
- 18 lessons
- 4 h 31 min
- Certificate
E-commerce and Selling Online
Learn how to choose what to sell, set up an online shop or social selling, take mobile money payments, deliver, market, keep records and grow, with a business plan and a 30-day launch plan.
- 16 lessons
- 4 h 25 min
- Certificate
Advanced Digital Marketing: SEO, Analytics and Paid Ads
Plan full-funnel campaigns, rank in search, measure with analytics, run paid ads without wasting money, and report results honestly. Ends with a complete campaign brief.
- 17 lessons
- 5 h 45 min
- Certificate
Cloud Computing Fundamentals
Understand what the cloud is, its core services, security and costs, deploy a simple website step by step, and plan a cloud move for a small organisation.
- 17 lessons
- 6 h 10 min
- Certificate
Linux and the Command Line
Learn to use Linux from the terminal: files, permissions, software, text tools, scripts, networking and a small web server. Practise safely on a virtual machine.
- 19 lessons
- 4 h 52 min
- Certificate
Networking Fundamentals: IP Addressing, Routers and Wi-Fi
Understand how networks work: IP addresses, subnetting, DNS, routers, NAT, Wi-Fi, cabling and troubleshooting, and design a small school or office network.
- 20 lessons
- 5 h 17 min
- Certificate
Cybersecurity Essentials for Organisations
Learn defensive security for schools, NGOs and small businesses: assess risk, protect accounts, devices and networks, respond to incidents and build a 90-day improvement plan.
- 18 lessons
- 3 h 56 min
- Certificate
Project Management Basics
Plan, run and finish projects that deliver: scope, goals, schedules, budgets, risks, teams and reporting, using free tools and a worked youth ICT club example.
- 17 lessons
- 3 h 37 min
- Certificate
Video Editing and Content Creation
Plan, shoot, edit and publish clear, honest videos with a phone and free tools, from first idea to a finished 60-second video for an organisation.
- 19 lessons
- 4 h 11 min
- Certificate
Keep going
More free courses from trusted platforms
Beyond our own courses, we gathered free learning from universities, Google, Microsoft and other platforms, from beginner to advanced.
Computer Basics (opens on GCFGlobal)
Plain-language lessons on what a computer is, how to use the mouse and keyboard, files, programs and staying safe. A good first stop for absolute beginners.
- Computer basics
- Self-paced
- No certificate
Grow with Google: digital skills (opens on Google)
A hub of free training, tools and certificates from Google for jobs, small businesses and everyday digital skills.
- Digital careers
- Self-paced
- Some programmes offer certificates
Microsoft Learn (opens on Microsoft)
Free interactive learning paths from Microsoft on Office, Windows, Azure, Power BI and more, with sandboxes to practise in.
- Office and productivity
- Self-paced
- Badges and optional paid exams
Google IT Support Professional Certificate (opens on Coursera)
A beginner path into IT support: computers, networks, operating systems, system administration and security. Designed for people with no experience.
- Maintenance and networks
- About 6 months
- Paid certificate (financial aid available)
Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate (opens on Coursera)
Learn the data analyst workflow: asking questions, cleaning data, spreadsheets, SQL, R and dashboards.
- Data and databases
- About 6 months
- Paid certificate (financial aid available)
Learning How to Learn (opens on Coursera)
Evidence-based study techniques for mastering hard subjects, from memory and focus to beating procrastination. Useful before any online course.
- Digital careers
- About 15 hours
- Paid certificate
Skills that open doors
- Free for everyone
No fees. All you need is a phone or computer and an internet connection.
- Made for beginners
Plain language, short lessons and practice activities that start from zero.
- Learn your way
Study when it suits you, on a phone or computer, and pick up where you stopped.
- Live support
Join virtual classes with facilitators and ask questions in real time.
- Certificates that count
Pass the final exam and download a certificate with a number anyone can verify online.
- Work-ready skills
Office tools, email, digital marketing and online safety: the skills employers and customers ask for.
Ready to start learning?
Create your free account in a minute and begin with your first lesson today.