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 Africas 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 Africas 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 Groups 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.
