AI drives shift in corporate e-learning market growth

The global corporate e-learning market is undergoing significant transformation driven by digital transformation and the urgent need for workforce upskilling. Valued at US$104.3 billion in 2024, the market is projected to reach US$335 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research.

Traditional learning and development (L&D) models are facing pressure to keep pace with the speed of modern business. Research indicates that nearly three-quarters of organizations struggle to effectively build the skills required for their business strategies because existing platforms and long development cycles cannot adapt to continuous shifts in jobs and priorities.

Artificial intelligence is emerging as a key tool to decentralize and scale training. By moving toward a model of ‘dynamic enablement,’ AI allows for real-time, context-aware support at the individual task level. Organizations adopting AI-first, performance-focused models are reportedly significantly more likely to empower employees and adapt to change.

In South Africa, the corporate education and skills development market is also growing, with an estimated value of US$2.055 billion in 2025. The country saw its Skills Development Levy collections rise to R24.1 billion in the 2024/25 period.