(Ecofin Agency) - • Africa's HCI score of 0.4346 remains below the global average of 0.6494
• Only half of African countries include IT skills in school curriculums
• UN urges coordinated investment in education to support digital reform

Africa's digital transformation is being held back by a lack of digital skills. Without basic proficiency in accessing and utilizing online public services, investments made by several African countries to modernize their administrations could prove futile.

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) reports an average HCI score for Africa of 0.4346 out of a possible 1, significantly lower than the world average of 0.6494. Europe leads the charts with a score of 0.8418, trailed by America (0.6962), Asia (0.6828), and Oceania (0.6603).

The HCI now includes a fifth component, mastery of digital govtech, in addition to the existing components, namely adult literacy rate, gross enrollment rate, expected years of schooling (EYS), and mean years of schooling (MYS). The index gauges citizens' capability to engage with digital services offered by public administrations.

Education forms the bedrock of the digital shift. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reports a rise in adult literacy rates in Sub-Saharan Africa from 52.6% to 64.3% between 2000 and 2020. Yet, Africa remains home to the world's largest number of unschooled people. An additional $77 billion per year is required to meet national education goals and ensure fair access to quality education.

As far as digital literacy is concerned, performance falls short. In 2022, African countries scored 1.8 to 5 on the Digital Skills Gap Index against a global average of 6. The Mastercard Foundation indicates that only half of African countries have incorporated IT skills in their school curriculums, compared to 85% globally.

Increased efforts are needed for digitization strategies to yield results. While countries like Rwanda have rolled out digital literacy programs in primary schools and Ghana has invested in digital skills training centers for youth, efforts remain fragmented. The African Union urges the harmonization of education policy, particularly in digital domains, to maximize economic and social advancement in the continent. Without ample digital human capital, homegrown and international digital divides are likely to widen.

The UN posits that strategic and coordinated investment in education and training, particularly in digital skills, is key to turning human capital into an engine of competitiveness, innovation, and inclusivity.