According to the World Bank, 83% of global population growth between 2015 and 2100 is expected to come from Africa. In other words, by 2100, one in three people on the planet will live in Africa. We expect the demand for everything, from resources and land to adequate healthcare, to increase exponentially.
In a post-COVID-19 world, it will be more urgent than ever to find intelligent, data-driven solutions to the most pressing problems. Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, and big data are fast-tracking the digital transformation in numerous sectors across the continent. But governments and educators must first teach people to be lifelong learners, and they will need to find new ways to boost, recognize, and assess the skills people acquire.
Emerging technologies will inevitably change the nature of jobs. Developing digital and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) skills are critical to unlocking opportunities. As one of the youngest populations in the world — more than 60% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s population is under the age of 25 — it is essential that adequate investments in education are made to equip the new generation of Africans joining the workforce with the right skills.
As per the World Economic Forum’s Human Capital Index from 2017, employers across the region already identify inadequately skilled workforces as a major constraint to their businesses, including 41% of all firms in Tanzania, 30% in Kenya, 9% in South Africa and 6% in Nigeria.
1. Recognition of non-traditional certification programs; Higher education is not accessible to all. But quality online learning resources could enable people to acquire certain digital skills.
2. Investment in calculus skills; Universities are not producing enough STEM graduates to fulfill future job needs.
3. Storytelling to teach youth about new technologies; The next generation of Africans can be inspired to work with emerging technologies through storytelling.
4. Future-ready curricula; African educators need to design future-ready curricula that accelerate the acquisition of digital and STEM skills to match the way people will work.
It is a big assignment that our governments needs to focus in line with GERD projects and other mega projects.
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