Vodacom Group CEO, Shameel Joosub.

Vodacom Group is working with Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Skillsoft, and other organisations to provide young people across the continent with access to digital skills, with the aim of boosting digital literacy on the continent.

By 2027, the companies hope to close the digital skills gap in eight African countries and train one million young people.

The telco said the Vodacom Group Digital Skills Hub is available in South Africa, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Lesotho, Egypt (Talimy), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (VodaEduc), and Kenya (Industry Digital Talent Program) to empower the next generation of digital innovators, enabling Africa's digital society and leveraging existing e-learning platforms in the respective markets.

The Vodacom Digital Skills Hub offers self-paced digital skills training for those aged 18 to 35.

This is in addition to Vodacom Group's current free e-learning platforms in its markets.

Vodacom released the following statement: "E-learning and digital classrooms have made it possible for students in remote or underserved areas to access quality education with platforms such as Talimy in Egypt, e-Fahamu in Tanzania, VodaEduc in the Democratic of Congo (DRC), Faz Crescer in Mozambique and an e-learning platform in South Africa, providing a wealth of online resources, which cater to different learning needs."

The telco cited an International Finance Corporation research that predicts over 230 million jobs in Africa will require digital skills by 2030, saying that the continent has an extensive supply and demand mismatch for digital talent.

Shameel Joosub, CEO of Vodacom Group, commented: “The African continent is plagued in many countries with high levels of unemployment, gender inequality, income disparity and limited access to education, healthcare and essential services.

“These challenges inform our purpose and drives our strategy to connect for a better future, leveraging digital technologies to drive inclusion into the future for the betterment of people. The launch of the Digital Skills Hub is testament to our commitment to pioneering the path to a digital and more inclusive Africa.”

Joosub continued: “With over 400 million young people between the ages of 15 and 35 in Africa, the continent has the youngest population in the world. Digital is the new currency, it is therefore imperative that we invest in them and provide them with the necessary digital skills that will not only boost their growth and development but that of the continent too.”

“Our main aim with this initiative is to not only address the digital skills shortage on the continent but to also nurture a pipeline of young talent and in turn advance Africa’s digital future, boosting opportunities for empowerment in an inclusive digital economy,” said Matimba Mbungela, chief human resources officer at Vodacom Group.