• Mali is seeking to strengthen digital skills training as part of its digital transformation strategy.
• The issue was discussed between Mali’s ICT minister and the head of Smart Africa during MWC 2026.
• The country ranks well below the African average on the UN human capital index.

Mali is looking to strengthen digital skills training for its youth as part of its broader digital transformation strategy. The issue was discussed during a meeting between ICT Minister Alhamdou Ag Ilyene and Lacina Koné, director general of the Smart Africa Alliance, on the sidelines of Mobile World Congress 2026 held in Barcelona, Spain, from March 2 to March 5.

According to Mali’s Ministry of ICT, the meeting allowed the minister to reaffirm the country’s commitment to accelerating its digital transformation through closer cooperation with Smart Africa. Discussions focused in particular on human capital development, with an emphasis on training young people and strengthening national expertise in digital professions.

Data from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs show that Mali lags behind on the Human Capital Index (HCI), one of the key components of the E-Government Development Index (EGDI). In 2024, the country recorded a score of 0.1250 out of 1 on the HCI, well below the African average of 0.4346.

Investing in digital skills is seen as a key lever to boost innovation, improve youth employability, and support the growth of the national technology sector.

Founded in 2014, Smart Africa is a pan-African organization bringing together several African countries and institutions committed to promoting digital technologies as a driver of economic and social development. The alliance supports initiatives related to innovation, connectivity, and digital skills development across the continent.

Adoni Conrad Quenum