The African Development Bank, Nigerian government and Microsoft have launched the Digital Nigeria e-Learning Platform to provide marketable digital skills that will create 9m jobs in Africa’s digital economy in the next 10 years.
In a statement released on October 1 2020, AfDB said the platform would offer courses in web development, content creation, data science, among others.
“The platform will leverage AfDB’s Coding for Employment initiative and build linkages between the public and private sectors to create 9m jobs in Africa’s digital economy in the next 10 years,” it stated.
Nigeria’s Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, was quoted to have said at the launch, “We are championing a paradigm shift that lays emphasis on skills. This is a growing trend across the globe. The digital literacy and skills pillar recognise that citizens are the greatest assets in any economy, including the digital economy. It will support the development of a large pool of digitally-literate and digitally-skilled citizens.”
Senior Director for AfDB’s Nigeria Department, Ebrima Faal, was also quoted as saying that the new normal had accelerated the demand for digital services and fourth industrial revolution technologies across all sectors.
“From artificial intelligence, the internet of things, social media communication, digital learning platforms, augmented and virtual reality, drones, 3D printing and so much more, the world has undergone a massive disruption. AfDB is committed to supporting the Nigerian government to realise a fully integrated digital agenda,” Faal said.
Middle East and Africa Director for Microsoft Philanthropies, Ghada Khalifa, said, “Microsoft Philanthropies is committed to creating inclusive economic opportunities in the light of the economic crisis created by COVID-19. We are investing in building the capacity of 5mn African youths by 2025, and excited about our collaboration with AfDB and the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy in Nigeria with the launch of the Digital Nigeria platform to provide Nigerians with access to digital skills to meet the demand of the job market.”
The statement further noted that the Digital Nigeria e-Learning Platform is a key component of the Digital Nigeria programme, which aims to empower innovators and entrepreneurs with the requisite skills to thrive in the emerging digital economy.
The Digital Nigeria programme aligns with AfDB’s strategic agenda to create 25m jobs in agriculture, information communication technology and other key sectors by 2025, and to equip 50m African youths with competitive skills.
