Africa: Microsoft’s Commitment to Expanding Access to Tech Skills in Africa

As Africa positions itself as a burgeoning hub for technology, the continent’s youthful population presents an invaluable resource for enhancing access to digital skills. To thrive in the global digital economy and spur innovation, it is imperative to cultivate a new generation of tech professionals.

In our increasingly digital landscape, equipping Africa’s youth with essential digital skills is paramount. By 2030, Africa is projected to represent one-fifth of the global workforce and one-third of the world’s youth workforce, making the cultivation of digital competencies vital for future economic success.

Ola Williams, Country Manager of Microsoft Nigeria, emphasized the importance of leveraging the continent’s youthful energy to establish Africa as a global tech skills powerhouse. However, he expressed concern about the significant digital skills gap that still exists. Williams highlighted three critical areas for development: enhancing digital literacy, equipping entrepreneurs with the skills to succeed, and fostering proficiency in artificial intelligence (AI) to unlock its full potential.

He noted that digital literacy should be the foundation, as the workforce evolves rapidly with employers increasingly seeking candidates equipped with advanced digital capabilities. According to World Bank data, the demand for digital skills will largely stem from industries outside of traditional ICT roles, with an anticipated 70% of this demand focused on foundational skills and 23% on intermediate skills.

Countries across Africa are recognizing the necessity of building digital competencies to align with the global digital economy. The Nigerian government is actively investing in digital skills development to empower its youth and strengthen the nation’s digital ecosystem. However, reaching and upskilling this demographic remains a significant challenge.

In response to the urgent need for accessible digital skills training, Microsoft launched its Global Skills Initiative in 2021, integrating resources from LinkedIn Learning, GitHub, and Microsoft Learn. This program has already assisted 80 million job seekers globally, with over 196,000 learners in Nigeria benefiting from its offerings.

Additionally, Microsoft has collaborated with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Nigerian government to introduce the Digital Nigeria eLearning Platform. Within a year of its launch, 125,000 learners enrolled in the platform, achieving over 111,000 course completions in various digital skills, entrepreneurship, and soft skills training. Overall, Microsoft’s skilling initiatives in Nigeria have reached more than 1.1 million individuals, with nearly 90,000 Microsoft certifications earned.

The second focus area is skilling for startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). With 10 to 12 million young people entering the African workforce annually, yet only 3 million new jobs created, fostering entrepreneurship is vital to addressing the employment crisis. Startups and small businesses are often at the forefront of innovation, tackling some of the continent’s most pressing societal challenges.

The AfDB reports that about 22% of Africa’s working-age population is engaged in starting new businesses, the highest rate globally. The African tech startup ecosystem is becoming an increasingly important source of employment.

Microsoft is partnering with the Nigerian government to expedite the country’s digital transformation, committing to upskill five million people and create over 27,000 new digital jobs. Collaborations with local telecommunications providers like MTN will provide four million Nigerians with complimentary tech-skilling resources.

Additionally, Microsoft has teamed up with Flapmax to launch the FAST Accelerator program, designed to help startups scale efficiently and access new growth avenues through advanced technologies, comprehensive skills development, and strategic business support.

Microsoft’s vision for empowering Africa through digital skills and AI technology is not just aspirational but a tangible strategic initiative. By bridging the digital divide and fostering innovation, Microsoft aims to lay the groundwork for a prosperous future where African talent can thrive on the global stage. Together, we can transform challenges into opportunities, ensuring that no one is left behind in this digital revolution.