Written by Theodore Opara
For Africa to be able to compete in the global digital economy and drive innovation, access to digital skills and technology must be facilitated for the critical development of a new generation of technology professionals.
Ola Williams, Country Manager, Microsoft Nigeria said this, adding that Africa is the future hub of technology skills and has a wealth of young talent to tap into.
She said: “In an increasingly digital world, the importance of equipping African youth with digital skills cannot be overstated.
“Africa, the world’s youngest continent, is often cited as a statistic that by 2030 it will account for one-fifth of the world’s total labor force and one-third of the total youth labor force.Africa is seizing the moment and leveraging its youth to become a global hub for technology skills, but the digital skills gap is growing.
It is important to develop the skills needed to compete in the global digital economy. To realize Africa’s vision as a technology hub, we will build digital literacy, give entrepreneurs the skills to succeed, and the AI needed to harness the full potential of this technology. Upskilling efforts should be focused on three key areas: advancing skill sets; ”
Digital literacy as a starting point
As technology rapidly changes the workforce landscape, “employers around the world are seeking workers with advanced digital skills. And, according to the World Bank, most of the demand for these digital skills is It will be driven by technology adopters and will come from occupations outside of the ICT field. 70% of this demand is expected to be for basic skills, followed by 23% for intermediate skills outside of the ICT field.
“Recognizing the importance of digital skills, countries across the continent are developing plans to build the capabilities needed for the global digital economy. are actively investing in digital skills development, but the challenge of reaching and upskilling young people is significant.
“Recognizing the need to expand access to digital skills development programs, Microsoft launched the Global Skills Initiative in 2021 by combining resources from LinkedIn Learning, GitHub, and Microsoft Learn. has helped 80 million job seekers access digital skills, with over 196,000 learners in Nigeria to date.”
According to her, “Microsoft also partnered with the African Development Bank and the Government of Nigeria to launch the Digital Nigeria e-learning platform. One year after its launch, 125,000 registered learners across the country have used the platform to master the basics. , 111,000 people have completed courses in either Intermediate, Advanced Digital Skills or Entrepreneurship and Soft Skills To date, Microsoft’s across-the-board upskilling efforts in Nigeria have reached 1,164,815 people and 89,946 people. Microsoft Certifications achieved.
Supporting entrepreneurs who create innovation
Upskilling start-ups and SMEs should be the second area of focus, she said. “10 to 12 million young Africans enter the workforce each year, but only 3 million jobs are created. Supporting and supporting entrepreneurship can help solve the employment challenge. Beyond employment, small businesses and startups are often at the forefront of innovation, providing solutions to Africa’s most pressing social challenges.
“According to the African Development Bank (AfDB), approximately 22 percent of Africa’s working-age population has started a new business, the highest rate in the world.Africa’s tech startup ecosystem is an important source of employment. It is becoming.
“Microsoft is committed to partnering with the Nigerian government to accelerate the country’s digital transformation, upskilling 5 million people in Nigeria and creating over 27,000 new digital jobs. , in partnership with local telecom providers like MTN, we are providing free technology to 4 million Nigerians with “skilling content”.
“Microsoft has also partnered with Flapmax to create the FAST Accelerator program, which helps startups scale quickly by integrating cutting-edge technology, comprehensive skills development and technical support, and business development strategies. and help them access new growth opportunities.”
Developing the skills needed for the AI revolution
She says, “Advances in AI technology are the talk of the world, and for good reason. AI is the defining technology of our time, and as companies invest in it, they Demand will continue to grow. If current trends continue, African AI and its associated startup ecosystem could be a big winner, according to the State of AI in Africa report. It is estimated that by capturing just 10% of the global AI market, African economies could grow by as much as 50% of their current GDP.
“To benefit from the global transformation currently taking place, we need to enable businesses and people across Nigeria to harness the transformative potential of AI. Strategic partnerships across the private sector will enable more It enables the implementation of comprehensive and sustainable initiatives that unlock the potential of Africa’s youth.
“Zindi, Africa’s leading AI community, and Microsoft are committed to advancing digital skills across the continent, equipping a new generation of young, tech-savvy Africans with the skills the market demands for today’s and future workplaces. We offer you the opportunity to
“Empowering Africa through digital skills and AI technologies is not just a vision, but a strategic reality, and Microsoft is deeply invested in this. By closing the digital divide and fostering innovation, we are We are laying the foundations for a bright future where talent shines on the world stage. Together, we can turn challenges into opportunities and ensure that no one is left behind in this digital revolution.”
