Investor and Operator Partnership to Upskill Africa’s Workforce

The World Economic Forum (WEF) recently found that one out of three tech jobs globally is filled by necessary skilled labor. This has become one of the major concerns of global business leaders. Over 50% of these leaders' organizations in a survey reported losing competitive advantage due to talent shortages.

To bridge the skill gap in Africa, an investor and an operator plan to upskill the workforce through their partnership.

The Partnership

An investor, Future Africa, and an operator, CareerSoft, have partnered to equip African youths with digital skills to meet the growing demand for tech talent. Future Africa is an early-stage investment fund, while CareerSoft provides a platform for web development training. The partnership aims to provide digital skills development programs for students and young professionals at an affordable cost.

The Upskilling Plan

CareerSoft will deliver a web development training program through a mobile app called CodeWithCareer. It will offer a training curriculum that combines video courses (with quizzes), practice test assignments, and Coding Challenges. These training sessions will be delivered by international software developers, with the aim of equipping participants with in-demand tech skills.

The training program will enable participants to acquire practical skills in web development, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, and Node.js. The app will also provide access to career counselors, who will guide users on career paths and job opportunities.

The Impact

The partnership's impact aims to close the skills gap in the African tech industry by empowering young people with technical skills. Its long-term impact will also help bridge the digital divide in Africa by allowing young people to acquire practical skills that meet global industry standards. By training individuals in marketable digital skills, the partnership will equip them with opportunities to earn a higher income, drive innovation, and spur economic growth.

Conclusion

The partnership between Future Africa and CareerSoft is a welcome development that will contribute to bridging the skill gap in the African tech industry. By leveraging technology to deliver practical training sessions that combine industry standards and skills acquisition, the partnership aims to equip young Africans with digital skills that meet global industry standards. Its long-term impact will boost innovation, drive economic growth, and help bridge the digital divide in Africa.

Additional Context

The African tech industry is growing rapidly. In 2021, the industry was worth $110 billion and is expected to reach $200 billion by 2025. This growth is being driven by a number of factors, including the increasing availability of mobile internet, the growing middle class, and the increasing number of young people with technical skills.

However, despite the growth of the African tech industry, there is still a significant skills gap. This is due to a number of factors, including the lack of access to quality education, the lack of training programs, and the brain drain.

The partnership between Future Africa and CareerSoft is a step in the right direction to address the skills gap in the African tech industry. The partnership will provide young Africans with the skills they need to succeed in the tech industry. This will help to boost innovation, drive economic growth, and help bridge the digital divide in Africa.