Africa is undergoing rapid digitalization but is faced with critical digital skills gap. Leveraging partnerships with global tech leaders and targeting a large, young workforce has the potential to drive significant economic and social progress across the continent.
Vodacom Group has partnered with leading technology providers, including AWS, Microsoft, and Skillsoft, to equip 1 million young Africans with digital skills by 2027. This initiative, announced on November 19, is part of Vodacom’s commitment to fostering digital literacy. It aims to bridge the continent’s significant skills gap and prepare Africa’s next generation for the digital economy.
Matimba Mbungela, Chief Human Resources Officer at Vodacom Group, emphasized that the program will “nurture a pipeline of young talent and in turn advance Africa’s digital future, boosting opportunities for empowerment in an inclusive digital economy.”
The Vodacom Group Digital Skills Hub is currently available across eight African countries: South Africa, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Lesotho, Egypt (Talimy), the Democratic Republic of Congo (VodaEduc), and Kenya (Industry Digital Talent Program). The platform offers free, self-paced training for individuals aged 18 to 35, enabling access to courses in areas such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. AWS Educate is among the initial programs offered, providing a comprehensive library of beginner-friendly courses to help participants build foundational and advanced digital skills.
The initiative aligns with Vodacom’s mission to bridge the digital divide and ensure individuals can fully benefit from digital transformation. To support this goal, the company has identified 14 essential digital skills for the future, including artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, cybersecurity, machine learning, and cloud computing.
The Hub represents a transformative step in preparing Africa’s youth for a tech-driven future. By combining partnerships with global tech leaders and leveraging existing e-learning platforms, Vodacom is paving the way for a more inclusive and digitally empowered Africa.
Hikmatu Bilali
From Dakar to Nairobi, Kampala to Abidjan, mobile money has become a lifeline for millions of Africa...
Airtel Gabon, Moov sign deal to share telecom infrastructure Agreement aims to cut costs, boo...
• WAEMU posts 0.9% deflation in July, second month in a row• Food, hospitality prices drop; alcohol,...
Malawi votes in high-stakes presidential election Tuesday Economic crisis, inflation dominate vot...
Vision Invest invests $700m in Arise IIP, Africa’s largest private infrastructure deal in 202...
• Côte d’Ivoire approves bill to support SMEs and mid-sized firms• Bill defines businesses, expands local content in public projects• Introduces new fund,...
• Tanzania's 2025/2026 cashew harvest could reach 700,000 tonnes.• Forecast represents a 33% increase from 2024's record 528,000 tonnes.• Only 2% of...
• WEF identifies 37 financial instruments for nature, highlighting 10 as priority solutions delivering both financial returns and ecological outcomes.•...
• The extension prolongs the mining license until 2036, raising its lifespan from 11 to 17 years.• Perseus Mining will invest A$170 million ($113...
Surprisingly, only one African song made it onto Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The track is "Essence," a collaboration...
The Umhlanga Festival, also known as the “Reed Dance,” is one of the most iconic cultural events in the Kingdom of Eswatini in Southern Africa. Every...