Bridging the Data Science Skills Gap in Kenya Through a Project-Based Online Bootcamp

Abstract

Kenya’s rapidly expanding digital economy is hampered by a persistent skills gap, particularly in data science, limiting innovation in critical sectors like agriculture and healthcare (Coker et al., 2023; Said, 2021). This gap stems from a disconnect between the theoretical focus of traditional university curricula and the practical, applied competencies demanded by industry (Hicks & Irizarry, 2018; Said, 2021). This paper details a project-based Online Data Science Bootcamp designed to address this challenge. The project’s pedagogical framework is centered on Project-Based Learning (PBL), utilizing the case-study method to teach the key data science skills of creating, connecting, and computing (Hicks & Irizarry, 2018). The bootcamp utilizes a Masterstudy Learning Management System (LMS) hosted at the Doable Learning Platform (https://doable.co.ke/), integrated with Google Colab and GitHub, to provide a seamless, interactive learning environment that removes technical barriers for beginners (Kim & Henke, 2021). The curriculum guides learners through Python, NumPy, Pandas, data visualization, and machine learning, culminating in real-world projects that position students at the boundary between academic learning and practical application (Saltz & Heckman, 2015). By providing an accessible, hands-on, and industry-aligned training model, this project offers a scalable solution to empower a new generation of data professionals in Kenya, directly supporting the goals of Vision 2030.