This study aimed to describe how students enrolled in a MOOC can be motivated by gamification, mobile learning modes (nomadic learning), and other MOOC features. We conducted two surveys in a total sample of 4,669 African students. Based on their responses, we paint a broad portrait of the main benefits and challenges as perceived by the students. We then look at how the MOOC impacts student motivation. We wanted to shed light on how current gamification strategies as well as mobile learning modes can encourage students to continue taking a MOOC. The results show that certain features of the MOOC CERTICE program boost student motivation. Mobile capabilities also appear to be highly popular with students.