• Japan to train 300,000 Africans in advanced tech skills
• Program targets AI, biotech, green tech, digital certifications
• Aims to boost youth employment, tech startups, economic growth

Japan announced a program to train 300,000 young people in advanced technologies at the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), held in Yokohama from Wednesday, August 20, to Friday, August 22. The project will cover software development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, biotechnology, modern agriculture, and green transition technologies, combining online courses, practical workshops, and recognized professional certifications.

The goal is to equip young Africans with advanced digital skills to boost their employability and encourage the creation of local tech companies. According to multiple sources, participants will benefit from mentorship, networking platforms, and collaborative projects, increasing their chances of joining startups, SMEs, or multinational corporations in the tech sector. This type of training also helps bridge the ICT skills gap that is hindering the continent's economic development.

This is critical as sub-Saharan Africa is projected to have over one billion inhabitants by 2050, with more than half under the age of 25, according to the World Bank. The International Labour Organization (ILO) reported in 2025 that nearly 262 million young people aged 15 to 24, about 23% of that age group, are not in employment, education, or training (NEET). Developing digital skills is therefore essential to absorb this workforce and support regional economic transformation.

Since 2018, the African Development Bank's Coding for Employment program has already trained more than 152,000 young people across several African countries in partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation, Microsoft, Junior Achievement, and local universities. This initiative highlights the scale of efforts being made to transform Africa's youth into a driving force for technological innovation, while also strengthening the continent's competitiveness in the global tech market.

Initially written in French by Félicien Houindo Lokossou

Adapted in English by Mouka Mezonlin