Smart Africa and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have teamed up to equip youths in several African countries with digital skills. The two partners made the announcement on July 7, 2023.
Specifically, AWS and the pan-African IT-focused organization will deploy the AWS re/Start program via the Smart Africa Digital Academy (SADA), Smart Africa’s capacity-building arm. Initially, the program will cover Ghana, Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Côte d’Ivoire, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The program is fully free.
#SADA is excited to lead @RealSmartAfrica’s collaborative initiative with @awscloud aimed at developing #digitalskills across #Africa. Recently launched in #Ghana, this free, cohort-based program will initially span six countries. Read more: https://t.co/OwlvBYuSY9 pic.twitter.com/k8FB9TgkAT
— Smart Africa Digital Academy (@SADASmartAfrica) July 10, 2023
The initiative, according to Lacina Koné, MD of Smart Africa, “aligns with SADA’s goal of creating an environment conducive to the flourishing of our youth in the digital technology ecosystem in Africa, especially on the module dedicated to digital experts.”
Since it started operating in August 2020, SADA has trained over 3,500 decision-makers and policy officials in over 30 countries going through their digital transformation. AWS's support will therefore be useful in training more and progressing toward its goal of reaching over 22,000 trained beneficiaries by the end of 2023.
The AWS re/Start program will offer skill development and employment opportunities for young people in the field of cloud on AWS. The 12-week program includes learning based on real scenarios, hands-on labs, and coursework. It is supported by professional mentors and accredited trainers, as well as interview coaching to prepare for a career in cloud computing.
Ultimately, the program will create an inclusive and diverse pool of new talents in the cloud field in Sub-Saharan Africa by engaging unemployed or underemployed youth who might otherwise not have had access to this career path. The goal is to raise the international profile of Sub-Saharan Africa as a hub for specialized digital and technical talents.
Samira Njoya
