Deep Lead in Africa

The DAIA project is a dynamic initiative at the intersection of education, technology, and international collaboration. Rooted in South Africa, a significant market and gateway to the rest of Africa, our mission is two-fold: Addressing the critical shortage of skilled personnel through new forms of competence-based training and creating a competitive advantage for Finnish companies.

Collaborating companies and researchers from both Finland and South Africa are developing competency-based micro-credential training formats and scalable models tailored to the concrete training needs. With an estimated annual export growth potential ranging between EUR 50-80 million, the project serves as a catalyst for business expansion. The resulting innovative training solutions are expected to generate new business prospects.

Led by the University of Helsinki, the project integrates a design-based methodology that emphasizes close collaboration between researchers and companies. This approach tailors solutions to local conditions and promotes iterative progress toward identifying best practices. The DAIA project aligns with various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), contributing to improved social well-being and supporting digitalization for a greener transition.

With a particular focus on addressing the pressing need for skilled labor in South Africa, Deep Lead seeks to enhance leadership and interaction skills among learners in companies and organizations. Leveraging extensive experience in face-to-face leadership training, Deep Lead is at the forefront of developing the Deep Lead Academy—a digital coaching platform that employs artificial intelligence and machine learning. 

The Digital Academies in Africa project is a Co-Innovation and Development project (2023-2025) funded by Business Finland.