Business software firm SAP says it plans to help address the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills shortage in the African continent.

Pfungwa Serima, SAP head of Africa, said this was among the biggest challenges the continent faced, and he urged stakeholders and government to work together to address the problem.

Serima also outlined steps his company has been taking to mitigate such challenges.

Among these challenges is the issue of enticing skilled Africans in the diaspora to return and impart their knowledge to their communities and respective countries.

“SAP is making significant investments around the continent to address the skills shortage. We are also discussing with governments to urge them to invest in programmes aimed at addressing the issue,” Serima said.

Echoing the same sentiments was the SAP Head of Global Communications, Sunil Geness, who pointed out the CIDA ICT Academy in Johannesburg as one of projects aimed at addressing skills shortages in the sector.

SAP has been collaborating with the CIDA ICT Academy since 2003 to support underprivileged students and providing young entrepreneurs with the skills required to participate in the global ICT business arena and economy.

The company says it has invested R500,000 towards the construction of the new ICT academy at the non-profit tertiary institution.