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Digital Skills are essential for the economy in the digital age.

The world has changed. The nature of work, learning, earning and connection has changed significantly over the past ten years. Whether in Lagos or Nairobi, Accra or Johannesburg, there's a simple message: digital skills are not an option. They are needed for survival and for success in today's economy.

The New Currency

Historically, three factors land, labour and capital were the main contributors to economic growth. Data and digital skills are most certainly at the top of that list today. From agriculture to health care, banking to entertainment, all industries are dependent on technology. The farmer who consults a mobile app to monitor weather trends and market price makes money while the farmer who is not using a mobile app does not make money. A nurse who can maneuver the electronic health records makes better care than a nurse who has to deal with paper! The Instagram and WhatsApp selling trader sells more customers than a trader who sells from a physical shop.

Digital skills are a new currency. They decide who is hired and who is promoted and who creates successful businesses.

 Bridging the Gap

The youngest population in the world is in Africa. Over 60% of the continent's people are under the age of 25. This is a tremendous benefit, provided this young workforce is prepared for the employment of the future. Unfortunately, many of the graduates leave school with certificates without having any practical skills in the digital field. They are unable to make use of spreadsheets, create websites, social media or analyse data. The youth unemployment rate is high across the continent partly due to this mismatch between education and employment.

This must be addressed and done on purpose. Digital literacy must be a priority for governments, schools and individuals, just as reading and writing are a priority. No longer are coding, digital marketing, graphic designing, data analysis, or cybersecurity niche skills. They are the common requirements.

A shift toward remote work and global opportunity.

The era of teleworking has opened new doors that have been previously closed. A graphic designer is able to work for a company in London now from Abuja. A software developer from Kigali has the opportunity to join a startup in San Francisco. You can hire a virtual assistant from Nairobi, who can work for you in Toronto. All this relies on digital skills.

Now, platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal have opened the door to a worldwide marketplace where talent is more important than location.Today, services like Upwork, Fiverr and Toptal have made a global marketplace where talent is more important than location. Students from Africa with the ability to acquire the in-demand digital skills can make dollars, pounds and euro at home. It is an effective non-migration economic empowerment.

 Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Entrepreneurship is another area of digital skills. Technology has revolutionized the cost of starting a business. You don't even have to have a store to sell things anymore. No more the need for any printing press for publishing. No more studios required for the production of music or film. With a smartphone, connection to the internet and the proper knowledge, it is possible to start a brand, form an audience and start earning.

In Africa, young people are establishing online businesses, producing digital content, designing mobile applications, and providing online services. They generate employment, address local issues, and drive economic growth for the countries. This wave of innovation does not exist without digital skills.

 Make sure to include adaptability in your life as you face a changing world.

Technology evolves fast. Popularized tools and platforms today might be replaced in five years. That is why digital skills are not limited to a particular piece of software. They're focused on cultivating an attitude of flexibility. Those with a solid understanding of digital basics will be able to master new tools, adapt to evolving industries and remain competitive in a changing economy.

This is what the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated. Those companies that already adopted digital tools were able to survive. Those who were not distressed or failed. Those who were able to work from home retained their employment. Those who were not digital were cut off from jobs. The message of the lesson is digital readiness equals resilience.

 Government and Policy

Digital skills are now starting to gain traction in Africa. The 3 Million Technical Talent program in Nigeria's Education Ministry is designed to educate Nigeria's youth in technical professions. Rwanda is positioning itself as a tech hub with a robust digital infrastructure. The Silicon Savannah in Kenya is still churning out fresh innovative start-ups. Ghana, Egypt and South African are investing in tech education and digital transformation.

However, more needs to be done. The curricula should be revised. There should be increased access to the internet and it should be made affordable. The use of public-private partnership (P3) should be reinforced. First and foremost, the stigma of non-traditional career paths should be eliminated. As a software developer, digital marketer, or content creator, you're just as valuable as a doctor, lawyer, or engineer.

 The Individual Responsibility

Governments/institutions have a role, but individuals must take responsibility for their learning. There are many, many free and cheap websites available online. Anyone willing to learn, can find tutorials on YouTube, courses on Coursera, Google certifications and community bootcamps. No longer do you have to wait for a formal degree. What matters is demonstrating ability.

Start small. Learn one skill. Practice it. Build a portfolio. Offer services. Get feedback. Improve. Repeat. Digital careers are created through learning and doing.

 Conclusion

Digital skills are the key pathway between young Africans and their economic futures. They unlock job and business opportunities, and unlock the world. They enable people to be flexible and companies competitive. They are not for the "few" but for the "many.

Tomorrow belongs to those who are confident in the Digital World. Now is the time to establish this confidence.

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