What opportunities are there to promote inclusion and broaden professional horizons?

[shukla7789]

While the digitalization of the African economy has considerable potential to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and reduce poverty, its impact will depend in particular on the public policies implemented to support this transition. This will be conditioned by everyone's access to better network coverage. In this context, public and private sector actors must therefore work together to take measures to support and improve the development of telecommunications infrastructure—and, de facto, connectivity.

Over the past decade, Africa has made significant progress in connectivity, moving from an Internet penetration rate of only 10% to approximately 40% of the population currently [7] . However, despite this growth, digital coverage remains uneven across the continent. Yet, it is imperative to bridge this digital divide that prevents populations from accessing the opportunities offered by Information and list of real mobile number database Technologies (ICTs). To overcome these barriers, measures must be taken to expand Internet access and thus improve digital coverage. This requires targeted investments in the deployment and improvement of telecommunications infrastructure, especially in underserved areas. In addition, favorable policies and regulations must be put in place to encourage investments in the telecommunications sector and facilitate access to affordable digital services.

Training a skilled workforce in digital skills and encouraging digital entrepreneurship is a second imperative. Indeed, the training of engineers is a major challenge for the continent. According to UNESCO, Africa is the continent with the largest deficit of engineers in the world, with only 55,000 engineers for nearly 4.3 million applications on the labor market [8] . The lack of qualified professionals in the ICT field limits the capacity of companies to innovate and develop, as well as their ability to create jobs. While digital technology is developing exponentially, the training of engineers is currently unable to meet the growing needs of African industries in terms of advanced technologies.

It is therefore important for each stakeholder to invest heavily in training, encourage skills development, and retain talent on the continent. Thus, many prioritize education as a pillar of any socioeconomic development. Multinationals such as Google, Orange, and Huawei have rolled out numerous training programs, offering young talent the opportunity to acquire the skills needed to successfully enter the job market. French operator Orange has launched its Digital Academy in Côte d'Ivoire, presented as the Orange Digital Center's coding school. Through this program, the goal is to provide high-level training in digital professions to young people aged 18 to 35, thereby ensuring that 75% of young people have professional opportunities upon completion.

This ambition is also Huawei's, as evidenced by the launch of the "ICT Competition" in the Northern Africa region since 2016. Aimed at encouraging learning through competitions, this program has already brought together more than 76,000 students from 12 countries in the region. During the 7th edition, which took place this year, six African teams were recognized. The Algerian teams particularly distinguished themselves by winning first prize in the "Cloud" and "Network" categories on May 26, 2023, during the global final held in Shenzhen. This victory is a testament to the talent, determination, and competence of young African entrepreneurs. It also demonstrates Africa's ability to play a major role on the international stage in the new technologies sector.

Multinational corporations aren't the only ones putting education at the heart of their operations. Many EdTech startups also play a crucial role. Among these, MJangale, a Senegalese startup founded in 2016, stands out, with the goal of training 10,000 young Africans in new technologies. Another inspiring startup is Kabako, based in Mali, which aims to democratize access to technology knowledge, allowing learners to quickly become qualified professionals. Their commitment to training populations, particularly in new technologies, is part of a comprehensive policy aimed at developing skills and promoting access to employment.