Diploma in Data Science and AI (Data Science Track)

  • 6 months of intensive coursework
  • 3 months dedicated to project work and portfolio building
  • Final 3 months focused on 1:1 support, internships and career networking
  • Taught in English
  • Certificate from Public University
  • Virtual
Africans trained and counting…
70,000+
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What to Expect

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Live online interactive learning with expert mentors

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Live weekly recap of what's been taught

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Access to slides and recorded videos

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Group assignments and presentations

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One on One support with course mentors

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Admission Requirements

  • You must be a graduate or a student (Diploma, HND, Degree, Masters/PHD).
  • You must be an African or of African descent.
  • Interest in Data Science; if you have started reading about Data Science that’s a great start or you willing to explore.
  • Ability to speak or write English.
  • Laptop and Smartphone with access to good internet connection.
  • Dedicated time commitment of 2-3 hours on Saturdays and 1 hour mid-week for live recap for the entire duration of the course.
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Why Become a Data Science & AI Professional?

Data Science and AI professionals do far more than simply clean and analyze data—they leverage advanced algorithms and machine learning techniques to transform raw data into actionable insights and intelligent solutions. In today’s digital economy, organizations across all sectors are harnessing data to drive strategic decision-making and innovation, making this field one of the most dynamic and in-demand career paths.

Demand for Data Science & AI Roles

High Industry Demand:
Leading platforms like LinkedIn consistently rank data science and AI roles among the hottest and most sought-after positions. The need for professionals who can navigate complex datasets and deploy intelligent systems is growing rapidly across industries.

Growth Projections:
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects significant employment growth in these fields over the next decade, fueled by the increasing reliance on data-driven strategies and AI-powered solutions.

Salary Range

According to Glassdoor, global average salaries for Data Science and AI professionals typically range from $70,000 per year to over $150,000 per year. This competitive compensation reflects the specialized skills and high impact that these professionals bring to organizations.

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Key Program Takeaways

A comprehensive understanding of Data Science and practical experience across the full data science lifecycle:

Data Collection & Wrangling: Learn to gather, clean, and prepare data for analysis.

Programming & Statistical Analysis: Develop robust skills in Python and statistics.

Model Building & Evaluation: Master machine learning and deep learning techniques to build predictive models.

Deployment & Real-World Applications: Bring your models to life in practical projects, ready to solve real-world problems.

Checkout Course Brochure

Master Essential Tools & Technologies in Data Science & AI

Our intensive 1 Year Data Science and AI Diploma is designed to equip you with hands-on experience using the industry's cutting-edge tools and frameworks. You’ll learn to:

Code and Analyze Data:

Master Python and SQL, and harness powerful libraries like Pandas, NumPy, and Scikit-learn for effective data manipulation and machine learning model development.

Develop Intelligent Systems:

Dive into deep learning with TensorFlow and Keras to create, train, and optimize neural networks for complex problem-solving.

Leverage Cutting-Edge AI:

Explore advanced natural language processing and transformer models using Hugging Face, and dive into generative AI tools such as OpenAI's GPT, DALL-E, and Stable Diffusion. Fine-tune pre-trained models and deploy sophisticated AI solutions that can generate text, images, and more.

Visualize Insights:

Transform raw data into compelling visual stories with tools such as Matplotlib, Seaborn, and Tableau, driving informed decision-making.

Interact and Iterate:

Utilize interactive environments like Jupyter Notebooks for exploratory analysis, rapid prototyping, and iterative learning.

Scale and Deploy:

Get hands-on experience with cloud platforms like AWS and Google Cloud to deploy your models and manage large-scale data processing.

These tools form the backbone of modern data science and AI, ensuring that by the end of the diploma, you are not only proficient in theory but also in the practical skills needed to excel in the field.

This is more than just a course—it's a complete transformative journey designed to equip you with the skills to build a high-paying in-demand career.

Created by Africans, for Africans ❤️

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100% Tuition-Free

Our mission is to unlock digital skills and job opportunities for 1 million Africans. We provide live, instructor-led classes with top-tier facilitators, along with learning materials and free coaching—all without charging tuition fees.

To support our operations, a one-time, non-refundable administrative fee of 2,500 cedis covers the entire course duration. We offer flexible installment plans and accept payments in multiple African currencies.

Tuition Fee

Ghc 30,000

(Waived)

Admin Fee

Ghc 3,000

Learn more on our Pricing

100% refund if we don’t deliver on our terms

Real-World Project Portfolio: Showcasing Your Data Science & AI Expertise

Build a compelling portfolio that demonstrates your ability to tackle complex data challenges and harness advanced AI techniques. Throughout the program—and especially during an intensive 3-month real-world project portfolio building phase—you'll engage in hands-on projects that mirror the scenarios data professionals encounter daily. You'll work with raw datasets to clean, analyze, visualize, and extract insights, while also exploring AI-driven solutions and generative models.

These projects are not merely practice exercises—they form the cornerstone of your professional portfolio. By the end of the diploma, you will have a robust collection of work that highlights your technical skills, innovative thinking, and practical experience in both data science and AI. Whether you are seeking a new role or aiming to advance in your current position, this portfolio will set you apart as a professional capable of transforming data into strategic value.

Catch-up plus

Gain personalized support with extra 1-on-1 guidance from experienced data analyst mentors within our community. Course mentors act as career success coaches, assisting with additional studies, reviewing projects, and addressing questions that matter most to you post-course completion.

Industrial Attachment & Career Networking for Data Science & AI

In the final three months of Thrive Africa’s 1-Year Diploma in Data Science and AI, you'll transition from classroom theory to real-world application through an intensive industrial attachment program. During this period, you'll collaborate with leading organizations, applying your data science and AI skills to live projects, handling complex datasets, and mastering industry-standard tools and processes.

At the same time, our robust Career Networking initiative offers you the opportunity to connect with professionals and experts in the field. Engage in mentorship programs, attend industry talks, and participate in exclusive networking events that bridge the gap between your academic achievements and the practical demands of the data science and AI landscape. These experiences will enhance your job readiness and expand your professional network.

This combined focus on hands-on experience and strategic industry connections ensures that you graduate with the confidence, skills, and network needed to launch a successful career in data science and AI.

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Study Abroad Pathway / Pre-Masters Program (Funding, Support, and Scholarships for High-Paying Master’s/Ph.D. Programs in Data Science and AI Abroad)

Access funding, support, and scholarship opportunities to pursue high-paying, in-demand master’s or Ph.D. programs in fields such as Data Science, Machine Learning, and AI.

Our comprehensive 1-year diploma program, awarded with a certificate from a recognized public university, equips you with a strong foundation and essential skills for these competitive STEM fields, significantly boosting your chances of admission to top international programs.

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Ignite.AI Lab: Transform Your expertise into building Minimum Viable Products

At Ignite AI Lab, you’re not just developing prototypes—you’re turning ideas into tangible, market-ready solutions with your expertise in data science and or AI. Here, you'll play a pivotal role in crafting real-world Data Science and AI products that address some of the globe's most challenging business problems.

Our dynamic lab is composed of senior AI and data scientists, research fellows, ML/AI engineers, and industry experts who are passionate about innovation. Together, we leverage cutting-edge technologies and agile methodologies to build minimum viable products that can be quickly tested, refined, and scaled.

Differences Between Data Analytics and Data Science

Data Science & Analytics

Data Science & AI

Focus
Concentrates on examining historical data to extract actionable insights and support decision-making.
Focus
Encompasses a broader range of activities—including data analytics, predictive modeling, and algorithm development—to forecast future trends and automate processes.
Techniques and Tools
Utilizes statistical methods, reporting, and visualization tools (such as Excel, Tableau, and SQL) to interpret and present data.
Techniques and Tools
Involves advanced programming, machine learning, and data mining techniques using languages and tools like Python, R, TensorFlow, and Scikit-learn.
Objective
Aims to understand what has happened and why, enabling businesses to optimize current operations.
Objective
Focuses on predicting what might happen and building models to drive future strategies and innovations.
Scope
Typically deals with structured data and predefined queries to generate reports and insights.
Scope
Works with both structured and unstructured data, often developing new algorithms and models to solve complex problems.
Typical Career Roles
Data Analyst, Business Analyst, Data Reporting Specialist, Data Visualization Expert
Typical Career Roles
Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, AI Researcher, Data Engineer
Mathematics Background
An understanding of basic mathematics and statistics is beneficial. Advanced math is helpful but generally not mandatory
Mathematics Background
A strong background in mathematics—particularly in areas like linear algebra, calculus, and probability—is often essential, as these skills underpin the development of predictive models and advanced algorithms.

Don’t Just Take Our Word for It—Hear from Others Like You!

Discover firsthand accounts of how our program has transformed the careers of students just like you.

Enriching, challenging, and inspiring

My experience at Thrive has been multifaceted—enriching, challenging, and inspiring. It enriched me by equipping me with new insights and skills and challenged me to explore knowledge I previously hadn’t encountered. Most importantly, it inspired me to recognise my potential and aim higher. I particularly appreciated the support from the mentors. They took the time to answer questions thoughtfully, provided engaging assignments, and fostered collaboration through group projects. Their commitment and dedication truly made a difference.

Joshua Naatey Ternor

An eye-opening journey

Studying the Advanced Data Science & Analytics course at Thrive Africa has been an eye-opening journey. With no background in the field, I've gained practical skills in data analysis,through tools like Microsoft Excel, Power BI, SQL and Python. The hands-on project fostered my learning, enabling me to apply theoretical concepts to real-world problems effectively. It has truly transformed my career perspective.Moving forward I think students should be assigned more projects to further develop their skills.

Joseph Tei

How do our programs compare with each other?

Thrive for Students (Essentials)

High-paying, tuition-free, in-demand digital skills with weekend live classes, midweek live revisions or catch-up sessions with course mentors, project work, group work and assignments.

Suitable For:

  • Students (Senior High School to Undergraduate)

Thrive for Graduates (Advanced)

High-paying, tuition-free, in-demand digital skills with weekend live classes, midweek live revisions or catch-up sessions with course mentors, project work, group work and assignments.

Suitable For:

  • Graduates and Professionals

Thrive Diploma (Complete Certification)

High-paying, tuition-free, in-demand digital skills with weekend and weekday live classes, live revisions or catch-up sessions with course mentors, project work, group work, company internships, and assignments

Suitable For:

  • Youth/Graduates/Students/Professionals

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean by Tuition-free?

Why are there administrative fees to be paid if you are tuition-free?

Does Thrive Africa offer job placement support and internships after training?

Does Thrive Africa offer certificates from accredited Universities after training?

Are Thrive Africa programs open to only Africans?

Can Thrive Africa programs be accessed across Africa?

Are the course mentors and facilitators at Thrive highly skilled?