Vodacom Group has partnered with technology providers to provide young people on the continent with access to digital skills as part of its commitment to driving digital literacy for Africa’s next generation. Together with AWS, Microsoft, Skillsoft and other collaborating organisations, Vodacom aims to bridge the digital skills gap across eight African countries and upskill one million young people by 2027.
The Vodacom Group Digital Skills Hub is available in South Africa, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Lesotho, Egypt, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Kenya to empower the next generation of digital innovators, enabling Africa’s digital society and leveraging existing e-learning platforms in the respective markets.
According to the IFC, over 230 million jobs will require digital skills in Africa by 2030 yet the continent faces a significant gap in supply and demand for digital expertise.
“The African continent is plagued, in many countries, with high levels of unemployment, gender inequality, income disparity and limited access to education, healthcare and essential services. These challenges inform our purpose and drive our strategy to connect for a better future, leveraging digital technologies to drive inclusion into the future for the betterment of people. The launch of the Digital Skills Hub is testament to our commitment to pioneering the path to a digital and more inclusive Africa,” says Shameel Joosub, Vodacom Group CEO.
The Vodacom Digital Skills Hub provides access to self-paced, digital skills training for those aged between 18 and 35. This is in addition to Vodacom Group’s existing free, e-learning platforms across its markets. Digital classrooms – such as Fahamu in Tanzania, Faz Crescer in Mozambique, Talimy in Egypt, VodaEduc in the DRC, Industry Digital Talent Program in Kenya and an e-learning platform in South Africa – have made it possible for students in remote or under-served areas to access quality education with a wealth of online resources catering to different learning needs.
The Vodacom Digital Skills Hub is designed to empower the next generation to consider a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). It includes fun and engaging practical digital skills training for young people on the continent. AWS Educate is one of the first programmes to be offered through the Digital Skills Hub and as an additional programme to Vodacom’s various existing online learning platforms. AWS Educate offers beginners an extensive library of self-paced online training that covers a range of topics from cloud fundamentals to artificial intelligence and machine learning.
“With over 400 million young people between the ages of 15 and 35 in Africa, the continent has the youngest population in the world. Digital is the new currency, it is therefore imperative that we invest in them and provide them with the necessary digital skills that will not only boost their growth and development but that of the continent too,” Joosub said.
