KIGALI, Rwanda, June 9, 2024 – The rapid advancement of the Fourth Industrial Revolution across Africa promises a significant transformation in the continent’s job market, with an estimated 230 million digital jobs anticipated by 2030.
To delve into this potential, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Training Centre (ITCILO), funded by Luxembourg’s Directorate for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, convened an e-learning workshop focused on “The Future of Digital Skills and Jobs in Africa.” Held on May 29, 2024, as part of the eLearning Africa Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, the event gathered over 50 innovators to discuss and envision Africa’s digital future.
The workshop employed the foresight methodology, which involves systematic thinking about the future to inform current decision-making. Participants analyzed various social, technological, economic, environmental, and political factors, based on predefined scenarios, to explore opportunities and challenges in Africa’s digital landscape by 2050.
Yves Iradukunda from Rwanda’s Ministry of ICT and Innovation emphasized Rwanda’s strategic vision to become a digital transformation hub. He highlighted the country’s commitment to training and employing future generations in the digital sector, aligning with Rwanda’s broader ambition to lead in digital innovation.
Representatives from the ILO, Alice Vozza and Fatima Elsanousi Sirelkhatim, presented preliminary results from two projects aimed at developing digital skills and facilitating access to decent digital jobs for youth in South Africa and Rwanda. These initiatives underscore the importance of preparing young people to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
During the workshop, participants engaged in the foresight methodology to envision four future scenarios for Africa in 2050. This collaborative effort led to the creation of four unique innovation proposals aimed at maximizing the benefits of digitalization. Attendees left with actionable strategies to tackle current challenges, fostering a more digitally inclusive future for South Africa, Rwanda, and the continent at large.
One attendee remarked, “It was emotionally engaging to witness the hard decisions involved in balancing innovation and digital skills training.”
The eLearning Africa Conference served as a crucial platform for discussing the future of digital skills and jobs in Africa. As the continent navigates the Fourth Industrial Revolution, initiatives like this workshop are essential in ensuring that digital transformation translates into widespread socio-economic benefits. By focusing on the development of digital skills and the creation of digital job opportunities, Africa can position itself at the forefront of global digital innovation.