08Oct
EAT
ICT Career & Hiring Fair
Meet partner employers hiring for junior development, support and digital marketing roles across East Africa.
HybridNairobi & Online
Register — ICT Career & Hiring Fair
Kenya's Premier Digital Academy
Learn Creative Skills.
Build Your Future.
Flexible online training in Cosmetology, Fashion & Interior Design, and ICT — practical skills for employment, entrepreneurship and lifelong success.
- Industry-recognised training
- Flexible online learning
- Expert trainers
- Practical projects
- Digital certificates
- Career-focused curriculum
- Mobile-friendly platform
- Learn at your own pace
Latest From Gabriela Institute
Trends, Events & Insights from the Gabriela Institute
Upcoming Events
Masterclasses, showcases & hiring days
Live sessions open to students and the wider creative community — online and on campus in Nairobi.
24OctEAT
Graduation & Certification Ceremony
The 2026 cohort collects their industry-recognised certification, with alumni talks and portfolio awards.
In personMain Auditorium, Nairobi
Guests by invitation
View Event — Graduation & Certification Ceremony
07NovEAT
Small-Space Interior Styling Workshop
A hands-on styling session: layout, colour and sourcing on a budget, taught around a real Nairobi apartment brief.
Online
Register — Small-Space Interior Styling Workshop
21NovEAT
Virtual Open Day — January Intake
Tour the learning platform, meet trainers from all three programmes and get your admission questions answered live.
Online
January 2027 intake opens here first
Register — Virtual Open Day — January Intake
Featured Programmes
Skills built for real careers
Three programmes, one goal — practical, career-ready skills you can start applying before you graduate.
Flagship Programme
Master the art and business of beauty
Gabriela's flagship programme trains confident, industry-ready beauty professionals through HD video instruction, live trainer feedback and hands-on practical assignments you complete in your own space — from your first blow-dry to running a salon.
- Hairdressing
- Beauty Therapy
- Barbering
- Professional Makeup
- Spa Therapy
- Nail Technology
- Salon Management
- Business Skills
- Virtual demonstrations by working industry trainers
- Practical assignments reviewed with personal feedback
- Industry-recognised certification on graduation
- Portfolio development to launch your career or business
How Online Learning Works
See how it works in detail
Your journey to certification
Seven steps from application to a career-ready credential — at whatever pace your week allows.
- 1
Apply for Admission
Sign up in minutes and choose your learning schedule.
- 2
Get email with Account Details
Receive your login credentials and student portal link directly in your inbox.
- 3
Access Learning Platform
Log in to your dashboard to view your enrolled courses and dashboard.
- 4
Go through Learning Resources
Learn from expert trainers on any device, at your own pace.
- 5
Complete Practical Assignments and eportfolio
Apply what you learn with hands-on, real-world projects.
- 6
Receive Trainer Feedback
Get personalised feedback to sharpen your skills.
- 7
Graduate with Certification
Earn an industry-recognised, verifiable digital certificate.
Learning Platform
A premium platform built for how you actually learn
Every lesson, assignment and conversation with your trainer lives in one mobile-first platform — designed for learners studying between shifts, on a bus, or from a salon floor.
HD Video Lessons
Broadcast-quality lessons you can rewind, replay and download.
Live Virtual Classes
Scheduled live sessions with trainers for real-time practice.
Interactive Quizzes
Check your understanding as you move through each module.
Assignments
Practical, portfolio-building work reviewed by trainers.
Discussion Forums
Learn alongside a community of fellow students.
Progress Tracking
See exactly how far you are from certification.
Digital Certificates
Verifiable credentials ready to share the moment you graduate.
Downloadable Resources
Guides, templates and cheat sheets for every module.
Smart Notifications
Stay on track with reminders for lessons and deadlines.
Mobile Learning
A fully responsive platform designed mobile-first.
Built-in Calendar
Plan study time around live sessions and due dates.
Direct Messaging
Reach trainers and support without leaving the platform.
AI Study Assistant
A coming-soon AI companion to guide your learning path.
Why Choose Gabriela
Everything you need to succeed
Ten reasons learners across Kenya choose Gabriela — and stay to build a career.
Study from a salon floor, a matatu or your kitchen table.
Everything runs in the browser — no campus, no commute, no fixed timetable.
Learn Anywhere
Study from home, a salon, a cyber café or on the move — all you need is a device.
Flexible Study Schedule
Fit your programme around work, family and life at your own pace.
Industry Trainers
Learn from working professionals, not just career educators.
Hands-on Practical Projects
Every module is built around real, portfolio-ready work.
Competency-Based Learning
Progress by demonstrating skill, not just watching videos.
Business & Entrepreneurship Skills
Every programme includes the skills to turn talent into income.
Digital Learning Platform
A premium, mobile-first platform built for how you actually learn.
Career Support
Guidance on portfolios, pricing and positioning after graduation.
Professional Certification
Industry-recognised, verifiable credentials that open doors.
Community of Learners
A network of peers and alumni across Kenya's creative economy.
- Graduates trained
- 0+
- Graduates trained
- Would recommend Gabriela
- 0%
- Would recommend Gabriela
- Flagship programmes
- 0
- Flagship programmes
- Platform access
- 0/7
- Platform access
Student Success Stories
From student to salon owner, developer, designer
“I studied entirely from my phone between shifts. Eighteen months later I own a five-chair salon with two employees of my own.”
Faith Wanjiru
Salon Owner, Nakuru
Cosmetology — Hairdressing & Salon Management
“The practical assignments were reviewed by real trainers, not just auto-graded. That feedback loop is why I could freelance within months of graduating.”
Brian Otieno
Freelance Full-Stack Developer
ICT — Software Development
“Gabriela treated my portfolio like a real client brief from day one. I walked out with work I could actually show, not just a certificate.”
Amina Yusuf
Interior Stylist & Studio Founder
Fashion & Interior Design
“Live virtual demonstrations meant I could pause, rewind and practise a technique until my hands knew it. I book out every wedding season now.”
Diana Achieng
Bridal Makeup Artist
Cosmetology — Professional Makeup
“Flexible scheduling let me learn while working full-time. I now run marketing for three local businesses on the side.”
Kevin Mwangi
Digital Marketing Consultant
ICT — Digital Marketing
“The business skills module was the real unlock — I learned to price treatments properly and my spa has been profitable since month three.”
Grace Nyambura
Beauty Therapist & Spa Owner
Cosmetology — Spa Therapy
Industry Partners
Trusted by employers across the creative economy
Partner businesses help shape our curriculum, review student work and hire Gabriela graduates.
- Lush Beauty KenyaBeauty
- Afrique Hair Co.Beauty
- Kenzo Fashion HouseFashion
- Studio NyotaCreative Agency
- CloudNine TechnologiesTechnology
- SkillBridge KenyaTraining
- Zawadi Employment NetworkEmployment
- Radiant Spa GroupBeauty
- Vertex DigitalTechnology
- Maridadi InteriorsFashion
Your future starts with one lesson
Join thousands of learners building careers in beauty, design and technology — from anywhere in Kenya.