As digital technologies reshape Africa's job market, digital skills are becoming crucial for youth inclusion. Developing these capabilities widely is essential for boosting employment and supporting economic growth.

Africa must invest heavily in developing digital skills. This was the key message delivered on Thursday, July 17, by Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed at a high-level dialogue on Africa’s development at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The imperative, she stated, is crucial to enable Africa's youth to actively contribute to the continent’s economic transformation, especially when faced with rapid population growth and persistent youth unemployment.

The message comes at a strategic moment. The number of young Africans is projected to reach nearly 830 million by 2050, according to the African Development Bank (AfDB). This vibrant demographic represents an unprecedented opportunity, but also a risk if not properly supported and equipped to meet the demands of the global digital labor market.

Digital: An Underused Lever for Employment

In a constantly evolving world where jobs are changing rapidly, digital skills are becoming increasingly central. Yet a large proportion of young Africans remain excluded from this transformation. A joint study by the African Union and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reveals that only 10% to 15% of young people have access to structured digital education. Fewer than 5% are trained in advanced skills such as programming, data analysis, or cybersecurity.

This lack of training hampers the emergence of a new generation of talent able to meet the growing needs of the tech sector. Yet the Foresight Africa 2025-2030 report from the U.S. think tank Brookings Institution foresees vast opportunities. It estimates about 650 million digital training opportunities could be created, representing an economic potential of $130 billion. Betting on African youth has therefore never been more urgent.

 Encouraging Signs, But Not Enough

Across the continent, initiatives are emerging and showing the way forward. Since its launch in 2017, Google’s Digital Skills for Africa program has trained more than 10 million young people on the continent. Companies like MTN are increasing bootcamps dedicated to training young women, notably in Uganda, Rwanda, Ghana, and Nigeria. The Smart Africa Digital Academy, supported by the pan-African Smart Africa initiative, aims to train thousands of civil servants and young professionals by 2026.

These efforts, though commendable, remain insufficient to meet the scale of the need. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs 2023 report, nearly half of the professional skills required globally will evolve by 2027. Africa must therefore accelerate its reforms to avoid widening the gap.

Investing in Digital Education to Build the Future

The expected transformation will not happen without a structural change in education policy. It is now urgent to integrate digital skills into school curricula starting at the secondary level. Strengthening investment in technological infrastructure, building strong partnerships with the private sector, and more actively involving young women in this movement are also crucial.

For Africa, digital could play a role equivalent to that of industrialization in Asia. However, that will only happen if leaders make it a national priority. According to the World Bank, each additional year of education can increase individual income by 10% and contribute to poverty reduction.

With this call to action, the United Nations reminds us that the continent’s future now depends on its ability to turn its demographic potential into an economic advantage. The question is no longer whether Africa can succeed in its digital transition, but whether it will commit the resources to make it happen.

Félicien Houindo Lokossou (Intern)