IN a groundbreaking announcement, the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has set forth an ambitious goal to empower 650 million African workers with digital skills by 2030, simultaneously creating numerous job opportunities for the continent’s burgeoning youth population. Claver Gatete, the Executive Secretary of the ECA, disclosed this transformative initiative during the 2024 edition of the annual ECA Africa Business Forum, held in Ethiopia this week.
The forum, convened in Addis Ababa, served as a pivotal platform for fostering public-private partnerships aimed at driving Africa’s technological advancement. Leading tech entities like Google showcased collaborative endeavours essential for realising both the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.
Gatete underscored Africa’s potential to emerge as a global leader in technological innovation, stressing the pivotal role of investments in science and technology. ‘Investment in these fields is crucial for job creation, boosting productivity, and enhancing competitiveness,’ emphasised Gatete, highlighting the significance of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in addressing the continent’s socio-economic challenges.
Despite notable strides in broadband accessibility and the widespread adoption of mobile money, Gatete said Africa’s achievements in these domains are but a fraction of its vast potential. He proposed a comprehensive strategy focused on bridging the digital skills gap for 650 million workers by the end of the decade, concurrently fostering millions of employment opportunities for Africa’s youth.
‘The potential of Africa’s digital economy is enormous. However, realising this potential rests on closing critical gaps in digital skills, data generation, and utilisation, as well as the requisite infrastructure,’ Gatete remarked, underlining the imperative of concerted action.
Doron Avni, Vice President for Emerging Markets at Google, echoed Gatete’s sentiments, highlighting AI’s transformative impact on Africa’s development trajectory. Avni advocated for inclusive AI education and emphasized the pivotal role of government investment in cultivating AI capabilities across the continent, ensuring sustainable and equitable growth.
The ECA’s bold initiative, coupled with collaborative efforts from industry stakeholders, heralds a promising era of digital transformation and economic empowerment for Africa, positioning the continent to harness the full potential of technology in driving inclusive development and prosperity.