In 2019, the World Bank urged African governments to train youth in digital skills. Increasingly aware of the challenges linked to this shift in competencies, states are multiplying partnerships to achieve this goal.

The FIFA Foundation, a subsidiary of the world football governing body, announced on Friday the launch of its digital education program in Africa, starting with Mauritania. "With the help of the unique power of football, the FIFA Foundation is committed to the programme’s development and its launch on African soil is a special moment for us all. It is only in its infancy, but we are already starting to see its benefits in other countries," the foundation wrote.

Mauritania is the first African country to join the program. The FIFA Foundation revealed that it has signed an agreement with the Mauritanian government through the Ministry of Education and the Mauritanian Football Federation. 

This memorandum of understanding marks the latest step in the program’s development, which targets 10,000 Mauritanian schoolchildren aged 6 to 12 over the next three years. These students will receive lessons in coding, robotics, and digital literacy in an engaging and fun way.

“By bringing football concepts to the classrooms, students are motivated to explore technology while developing problem-solving, creativity and teamwork skills. Hands-on activities such as programming football simulations, building performance-tracking sensors or designing robots for mini football tournaments make the learning experience both interactive and relevant,” the Foundation explained.

As part of the program’s implementation, there will also be a focus on providing technological equipment such as netbooks and projectors, as well as intensive teacher training. The program aims to do more than just improve students' digital literacy—it seeks to equip them with the tools and skills they need to succeed in the future.

Before Mauritania, the program was launched in Paraguay in June 2024, aiming to reach 20,000 students over the next three years. Paraguay is the first South American country to join this initiative, following the program’s global launch in Belize in July 2023. In Belize, 10,000 children, along with their teachers and school principals, are part of the program’s target group.

Vanessa Ngono Atangana