Economies across Africa are experiencing a huge digital skill gap in their workforce due to a surge in demand for these skills. Meanwhile, most African countries are recording an unemployment rate of over 40% due to inadequate skills and a lack of experience.
According to the preliminary findings by the world economic forum, by 2030 some level of digital skills will be required for 50-55% of jobs in Kenya, 35-45% in Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Rwanda, and 20-25% in Mozambique.
The Intellectual Giants in Africa Foundation (INGAF) and The Socialander Foundation, in collaboration with German Cooperation, co-founded by the European Union, GIZ Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, NITDA (Nigeria Innovation Technology Agency), and Digital Transformation Center Nigeria organized a two-day digital skills training program in Abuja, Nigeria.
The objective of the training was to equip young people with digital skills, reduce unemployment and develop the educational system and businesses in Africa. The training held in February, 2023 at B-S Hive Hotel, 4th Avenue, Gwarinpa, Abuja.
The Graphic design training was conducted by Mr. Jeremiah Lazarus, a Graphic Designer and the Product Operations Lead of Paruto Group. He gave an overview of graphic design and taught the advanced use of canvas in graphic design. The class was fully practical and engaging. He explained the basics of canvas and demonstrated how to create various designs with canvas, and download different images from pixbay and coloor.co. There was a high level of interaction between the trainer and trainees, and the feedback we got after the training was comforting.
Another digital skill that was thought was Data Analytics, and the trainer, Mr. Adekunle Crown, a Professional Data Analyst, gave an introduction to Data analysis and the various phases of data analysis.
He also taught basic data analysis tools, including Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel, My SQL, PostgreSQL, and Power BI. The training was also interactive and engaging. The trainees craved for more sessions.
As an organization, our vision to raise Intellectual Giants in Africa has motivated us to embrace the wave of digital transformation that is currently a game-changer for the African continent. This is an opportunity for us to boost economic growth, reduce the unemployment rate, alleviate poverty and improve people`s lives. This vision of Digital transformation for the African continent will also contribute meaningfully to the African Union Agenda of 2063.