By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The African Development Bank Group and the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) have signed a strategic partnership aimed at expanding digital skills, increasing employment opportunities as well as supporting entrepreneurship for young people and women in five African countries.
The agreement was signed in Paris, France, by African Development Bank Group President Dr Sidi Ould Tah and OIF Secretary General Louise Mushikiwabo.
The partnership will initially be implemented in Benin, Cameroon, Guinea, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Madagascar, where participants will receive training and support to prepare for careers in the digital economy, AfDB says in a statement.
The initiative seeks to address one of the region’s biggest development challenges by giving young people greater access to digital jobs while encouraging the growth of innovative businesses and start-ups.
The partnership will deliver training programmes in a range of digital fields, including web and mobile development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and data analysis.
According to the bank, in addition to technical skills, participants will receive career guidance, entrepreneurship training and support for self-employment.
The programme also includes innovation camps, prototype development activities and partnerships with business incubators and accelerators to help aspiring entrepreneurs turn their ideas into viable businesses.
Both organisations will work closely with national governments and local training institutions to strengthen education systems and ensure the programmes can continue beyond the initial implementation period.
The pilot phase will run for 12 to 24 months, after which the initiative may expand to other member countries based on its results.
