- Zimbabwe launches digital skills program with UAE support to train 1.5 million citizens
- The initiative focuses on programming, AI, data science, and Android development in Kotlin
- Part of Zimbabwe's digital transformation strategy through 2030, it aims to address ICT skill gaps
Zimbabwe's government, with support from the United Arab Emirates, launched a program on Thursday, April 10, to train 1.5 million citizens in programming, aiming to establish "the foundations for a future-focused Zimbabwean workforce skilled in cutting-edge technologies."
The "Zimbabwe Digital Skills Program" will equip participants with key competencies, including data science, programming, Android development in Kotlin, and artificial intelligence.
This initiative aligns with the Zimbabwean government's digital transformation strategy through 2030, which prioritizes skills development and digital capacity building as one of its three core pillars. The government identified a shortage of ICT skills and low digital literacy as significant obstacles to the information and communication technology sector.
"Zimbabwe has a high literacy level and should leverage on this to become a software and hardware development hub. The Government of Zimbabwe intends to increase innovation through promoting local content, heritage and culture applications development," according to the government's master plan.
In August 2024, the government established ties with LinkedIn, focusing on digital skills acquisition for civil servants and youth, particularly through the "LinkedIn Learning" platform.
These initiatives aim to address youth unemployment, a pressing issue for the country. According to the World Bank, approximately 61% of Zimbabwe's population is under 25. However, the country faces high levels of unemployment and underemployment, with a youth unemployment rate of 35% in 2021. The World Bank also estimates that nearly 230 million jobs in sub-Saharan Africa will require digital skills by 2030.
By Isaac K. Kassouwi,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
