By: Chané Fraser

Defining Digital Skills and Their Link to Work Requirements

The article in question focuses on how digital and technological advancements are transforming the economic world as we know it, specifically the Sub-Saharan Africa, and has been for some time. There is currently an estimate that approximately 230 million jobs within these confines will soon require digital skills. An issue arises with the significant barriers preventing youthful populations from acquiring these essential skills.

Digital skills are described as multifaceted, including hard skills such as coding and soft skills which are essential for effective communication, critical thinking and problem-solving. Foundational skills (e.g. basic literacy and numeracy) are the building blocks for digital competence and is fundamentally needed to obtain these digital skills. Additionally, digital literacy, which enables individuals to access, manage and create digital content, is becoming increasingly vital in the workforce.

Top Issues Identified

Several challenges hinder the development of digital skills among African youth. A significant digital skills gap exists, where job seekers' abilities do not match employer requirements. Access to technology is a critical barrier, especially in rural areas where internet connectivity and devices are limited. Gender disparities further exacerbate the situation, restricting women and marginalized groups from accessing digital education. These factors contribute to low technology adoption among businesses, hampering job creation and productivity in the region.

Comparing the State in Three African Countries

The state of digital skills varies across African countries. South Africa has relatively high internet penetration and ongoing digital literacy initiatives, but disparities persist in rural communities. Kenya has made strides in mobile technology, yet only 38% of the population possesses basic digital skills. Nigeria, despite its rapidly growing tech sector, faces a significant skills gap, with only 23% of the population using the internet. These differences highlight the need for tailored strategies to enhance digital skills in diverse contexts.

The evidence synthesis paper included at the end of the article refers to “Digital Skills for Youth Employment in Africa” written by Charles Howard (Head of research at ThinkYoung). This paper furthermore utilizes case studies with regards to digital skills and youth employment in the countries of Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa. Proceeding to elaborate on what the term ‘digital skills’ actually refers to and encompasses, as well as certain tools or strategies needed to generate “an enabling policy environment for these.”

Solutions

Investing in digital infrastructure is critical for expanding access to reliable internet and devices, within this, comprehensive training programs should equip youth with practical digital skills tailored to industry needs.

To foster an advantageous environment for skill development, the paper advocates for improving education quality with the following:

• Enhancing the connection between the currently ‘underdeveloped’ Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and industry needs. 

- Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) provides practical skills and knowledge for specific careers or trades, combining classroom learning with hands-on training to improve workforce readiness. 

• Enhance the overall education quality with foundational digital skills and access to infrastructure, devices, and connectivity. 

- 'Foundational skills (e.g. basic literacy and numeracy) are the building blocks for digital competence and is fundamentally needed to obtain these digital skills.'

• Align with the African Union's Agenda 2063 to reduce the digital divide and boost education, digital infrastructure, and employment. 

-The African Union's Agenda 2063 is a strategic framework aimed at achieving inclusive growth, sustainable development, and political integration across Africa by the year 2063. 

• Focusing on digital skill development in low-productivity and informal work sectors, particularly in agriculture, to create jobs for marginalized groups. 

• Implementing gender-sensitive policies and promoting inclusivity to ensure equal opportunities for the marginalized groups of women and girls to tackle the gender divide with regards to digital skill acquirement. 

• The fostering of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) is also mentioned as essential to supporting digital infrastructure and job creation. 

- Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) are collaborations between government and private sector organizations to jointly deliver public services or infrastructure projects, sharing resources, risks, and rewards. 

By tackling these obstacles and more, Africa could pave the way towards economic growth and reduce youth unemployment across the continent.

⁎ Reference Article Link: https://includeplatform.net/news/digital-skills-for-youth-employment-in-africa/

⁎ Evidence Synthesis paper: https://includeplatform.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Digital-Skills-for-Youth-Employment-in-Africa.pdf