Where I Recommend Learning AI and Software Engineering Online

My name is Jeffrey Mdala, and I am an AI Engineer & Founder based in Lusaka, Zambia. I run Zambian Online Education Company (ZOEC), where I built eskulu, an AI-powered e-learning platform for the Zambian ECZ curriculum, and I also lead other technology work through my consulting venture, MAY and Company.

One question I get often is simple but important: where can you actually learn AI, software engineering, and programming online—and get certificates too? It is a practical question, especially for young people in Zambia and across Africa who are trying to build real skills without always having access to expensive universities, bootcamps, or international networks.

I have been self-teaching and coding continuously since 2016, and a big part of my journey has come from combining formal education with online learning. Even while studying engineering and computing, I kept using online platforms to sharpen my skills, refresh concepts, and stay current with what the industry is doing. That habit has helped me build products like Zedpastpapers and eskulu, work in AI roles, and continue growing as a builder in Africa's technology ecosystem.

In this post, I want to share some of the platforms and company programs I personally recommend if you want to learn AI, software engineering, and programming—and in many cases, earn certificates along the way.

Why online learning matters in Zambia and Africa

In our context, online learning is not just convenient. For many people, it is the most realistic path into tech.

Across Zambia and the wider African continent, there are brilliant students who have the discipline and curiosity to learn, but may not always have access to the latest lab equipment, specialized lecturers, or industry-linked training. That is why online platforms matter so much. They help close the gap between ambition and opportunity.

My own journey reflects that reality. I started coding in Grade 12 after graduating as the best Grade 12 student at Thornhill Boarding and Day School. Over time, I taught myself consistently, built projects, and kept learning beyond the classroom. That approach eventually helped me build platforms now used by hundreds of thousands of learners, including Zedpastpapers, which serves over 200,000 users every month, and eskulu, which has reached 500,000+ students across Zambia.

So when I recommend online learning platforms, I am not speaking theoretically. I am speaking from lived experience.

Codecademy: one of my favorite places to start

One of the first platforms I recommend is Codecademy. I like it because it gives you a structured way to learn different programming languages, and it is beginner-friendly.

If you are just getting started, structure matters. A lot of people want to learn AI, but they skip the basics. In reality, you need to build a strong foundation first. That means understanding programming, logic, problem-solving, and how software is actually built.

Codecademy is useful because it helps learners move step by step. Instead of only watching videos, you also interact with code directly. That is important because software engineering is a practical skill. You learn best by doing.

Another reason I recommend it is that you can get certificates for free on some learning paths. For many learners in Africa, affordability matters. A platform that allows you to learn and still collect proof of progress without heavy cost is valuable.

If you are unsure where to begin, this is a strong entry point for:

• Python
• JavaScript
• Web development basics
• General programming foundations

FreeCodeCamp: practical, respected, and accessible

Another platform I strongly recommend is FreeCodeCamp. In fact, I am currently doing a Python course there as a refresher. That detail matters because learning in tech never really ends. Even when you already work in AI or software, you still go back to fundamentals, sharpen old skills, and revisit concepts.

That is one of the biggest mindset shifts people need to make: continuous learning is part of the job. The best engineers do not stop learning once they get a title or launch a product.

FreeCodeCamp stands out because:

• It is widely accessible
• It is practical and project-oriented
• You can get certificates for free
• It covers both beginner and intermediate technical skills

For learners in Zambia, FreeCodeCamp is especially helpful because it lowers the barrier to entry. You do not need to wait for perfect conditions to begin. If you have internet access, discipline, and time, you can start building useful skills immediately.

I would particularly recommend it for people interested in:

• Python refreshers and fundamentals
• Responsive web design
• JavaScript
• General software engineering practice

Big tech company training programs are worth exploring

Beyond independent learning platforms, I also recommend checking the training and certification programs offered by major technology companies.

Some of these are free, and some are paid, but they can be very useful because they often reflect the tools, workflows, and standards used in industry.

The main ones I recommend exploring are:

• Google
• Microsoft
• Meta

These companies have created training ecosystems that cover different areas, including software development, cloud, data, and AI-related skills. If you are serious about building a career in tech, it is smart to become familiar with how these ecosystems work.

In my own path, certifications have played a supporting role in strengthening my technical profile. For example, I have completed certifications such as GPT-4 Foundations: Building AI-Powered Apps, Amazon Bedrock, and AWS Essential Training for Developers. I also earned AWS Lambda Foundations, which connects well with modern cloud-based AI systems.

Certificates alone do not make you an engineer. But when combined with real projects, they help signal commitment, direction, and practical exposure.

How I think about certificates

Let me be honest: a certificate is useful, but skills matter more.

Too many people chase certificates without building anything. In tech, your learning becomes powerful when it turns into output. That could mean:

• A personal website
• A small AI tool
• A portfolio project
• An automation script
• A web app that solves a local problem

This is the same mindset that shaped my own work. I did not just study computing concepts—I used them to build. That is how I created products that solve real educational problems in Zambia. During COVID-19, I built eskulu to help learners access educational support more easily, and that journey later helped eskulu reach the Top 5 in the ZICTA Innovation Programme.

So yes, collect certificates where they make sense. But always connect them to practical work.

A simple path I would recommend for beginners

If you are just starting and feel overwhelmed, here is a simple direction I would suggest:

• Start with Codecademy or FreeCodeCamp
• Learn one language first, ideally Python
• Build small projects as you learn
• Explore company programs from Google, Microsoft, and Meta
• Earn certificates where available, especially free ones
• Keep refreshing your skills instead of rushing

Python is especially useful if your long-term goal is AI, data science, automation, or backend development. It is one of the most practical languages to start with, and it is still highly relevant across many industries.

Learning for impact, not just for hype

One thing I care deeply about is making sure technology learning in Africa is tied to real impact. We should not learn AI just because it is trending. We should learn it so we can solve meaningful problems in our communities, schools, businesses, and institutions.

That is exactly how I approach my work through ZOEC. With eskulu, my long-term vision is to help bring AI tutors into every Zambian classroom and contribute to building one of Africa's largest learning intelligence systems. That vision is rooted in local reality: curriculum access, exam preparation, educational inequality, and digital opportunity.

When young people in Zambia ask where they can learn, I see more than a question about websites. I see future founders, engineers, researchers, and problem-solvers looking for a starting point.

Final thoughts

If you want to learn AI or software engineering online and get certificates, my recommendation is straightforward: start with Codecademy and FreeCodeCamp, then explore programs from Google, Microsoft, and Meta. Use the certificates as proof of progress, but focus even more on building real skills.

You do not need to have everything figured out before you begin. What matters most is consistency. That is how I grew from a student teaching myself code into an AI engineer building education technology for Zambia and beyond.

If you are a student, developer, school, or business interested in AI, e-learning, or software development, feel free to reach out to me at jeffmdala@gmail.com. You can also follow the work we are doing through eskulu and ZOEC as we continue building technology for Zambia and Africa.