12 August 2025

During a high-level dialogue on African development at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in July, Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed emphasised a critical challenge: Africa must invest heavily in developing digital skills among its youth to harness the continent’s demographic growth for economic transformation.

With Africa’s youth population projected to reach nearly 830 million by 2050, the continent faces an unprecedented opportunity — and a significant risk if this potential is not properly nurtured. Mohammed underscored that digital technology is a powerful lever for employment and economic growth, yet a large portion of young Africans remain excluded from this digital revolution.

A joint study by the African Union and UNESCO reveals only 10-15% of young Africans have access to structured digital education, and fewer than 5% are trained in advanced skills like programming, data analysis, or cybersecurity. This skills gap hampers the emergence of a talent pool capable of meeting the demands of the rapidly evolving tech sector.