Novell is providing training in Africa for its SUSE Linux operating system distribution. It is looking to establish training centres in most African countries among which several "Centres of Linux Excellence" in the sub Saharan region. Activities are underway in:

• Ghana for West Africa
• Kenya for East Africa
• Mauritius for the Indian Ocean islands, and 
• Botswana for the SADC region

Training has so far been concentrated on implementing the Certified Linux Professional (CLP) and the Certified Linux Engineer (CLE) courses. The CLP course is made up of:

• 1: Fundamentals
• 2: Administration
• 3: Advanced Administration

The SUSE Linux Training Brochure can be downloaded and consulted here.

Specific activities are described as follows on a country-by-country basis:

Botswana
RPC Data are offering SUSE Linux training in the form of the CLP training courses. So far Novell has run a number of courses.

Ghana
Novell has recently entered into a Partnership with the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre Of Excellence in ICT (AITI) in Accra Ghana who have been appointed as a Novell Gold Training Partner. Headed by Mrs. Dorothy Gordon, the first Director General of AITI, the Centre houses West Africa's first supercomputer. The spacious meeting and lecture rooms as well as the 802.11 wireless network guarantee that the AITI can host close to a 1000 IT professionals, researchers, visitors and trainees at any given time. 

Kenya
Network Source is now offering the CLP and CLE 9 courses in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam and Mr. Mbarani Echaminya is the resident Certified Novell Instructor. Network Source have already completed some specialist Linux training for various sections of the Kenyan Government.

Mauritius
Novell is in discussions with a Training partner to provide Linux and Open Source training for the Indian Ocean islands. Updates are expected soon.

Nigeria
More Time Linux Training Academy are in the process of training 20 instructors to CLP and CLE levels. They already have accomplished three CLP and CLE passes, having been trained by Kevin Stepper from Ghana. Near-term plans include partnering with the local Universities to offer Certified Linux training as part of the students degree course complementing a University Degree.

Uganda
Discussions are under way with an IICD sponsored training centre in Kampala to add to their existing open source training activities. Uganda has significant SUSE Linux skill but as examinations have not been available very few have formal certification. i will update you on this one.

Zambia
Discussion are under way with an IICD sponsored training centre in Lusaka to add to their existing open source training activities. Updates are expected soon.

Zimbabwe
Novell Zimbabwe is to offer Linux training in Harare however there are logistical and foreign exchange problems at present. FOSS should be a success is in Zimbabwe due to its low cost of ownership and sponsorships are being sought for the training kits while trainers are available to run the courses.

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