(Ecofin Agency) - 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