In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Vodacom DRC, a mobile operator, will reinforce the digital skills of a million youths, with the support of Amazon Web Services (AWS). The training program, TechStart, was unveiled on November 13. Trainees will be equipped to meet the skills needs of companies or start their businesses, in line with the government’s ambition to leverage digital technologies to bolster the Congolese economy. 

The mobile operator stressed that TechStart should help enhance its Vodaeduc platform, which “has already reached over a million people with its educational content”, thereby strengthening access to essential skills for the future. 

Launched in 2017, this free platform provides access to educational resources in video format covering subjects such as math, science, IT, economics, and finance. It also includes content tailored to Congolese school curricula, catering to the learning needs of young people at all educational levels.

According to the World Bank, digital literacy will become a must for African workers over the next decade, even in sectors where they were previously non-essential. Covid-19 sped up the shift. In its 2021 report titled "Demand for Digital Skills in Sub-Saharan Africa: Key Findings from a Five-Country Study," the World Bank forecasts that by 2030, some level of digital skills will be necessary for 50-55% of jobs in Kenya, 35-45% in Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, and Rwanda, and 20-25% in Mozambique.

The World Bank also estimates that sub-Saharan Africa will create 230 million digital jobs by 2030. Most of these jobs will arise from the growth of digital services, requiring intermediate or advanced digital skills as well as basic digital and financial literacy accessible to all. In this context, Vodacom DRC's digital skills training initiative aligns well with similar efforts led by the Congolese government, particularly through the Ministry of Professional Training and partners like Huawei.

Muriel Edjo