Google’s digital skills for 1 million Africans
GOOGLE has pledged to train 1 million people in digital skills in the next year as part of its contribution to growing Africa’s digital economy.
“By 2020 there will be half a billion users in Africa, which presents an opportunity for African businesses and digital entrepreneurs,” the US tech giant said.
Google has partnered with Livity Africa to create two training programmes – Digity Bytes which aims at helping young people develop a digital career and Digity Pro, a three-month programme that develops digital specialists for jobs in companies or digital agencies.
Yesterday the group launched online learning portal digifyafrica.com. The Digify programmes are all free and will provide tools and knowledge on subjects like building an online presence, creating content, understanding web design and user experience, social media and app development.
A group of 65 Googlers from nine different countries has helped Livity develop content and provide mentorship as well as deliver the training. Bunmi Banjo, digital education lead at Google Africa, said more needs to be done to support African people to succeed in the digital world.
“The internet offers huge opportunities to start new businesses and grow existing ones, and we’re committed to helping Africans make the most of the digital revolution,” Banjo said.
Youth unemployment across Africa is 35% in South Africa, 17% in Kenya and 13% in Nigeria. Google said developing digital entrepreneurship and creating job opportunities for young people is critical to Africa’s growth.”-THELMA NGOMA
SOURCE: The New Age
