A new report titled "Foresight Africa 2025-2030" from the Brookings Institution projects that 230 million jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa will require digital skills by 2030. The report anticipates the creation of up to 650 million training opportunities in digital skills, representing a potential market worth $130 billion.
To realize this potential, significant investment in education and training is necessary to prepare the youth for these new opportunities. Digital jobs are expected to emerge across various sectors, including technology outsourcing, high-tech industries, online services, and digital finance.
The impact of this digital revolution extends beyond direct job creation, promising positive spillover effects in other sectors of the economy, fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and enhancing Africa's global competitiveness.
The report emphasizes that digital transformation is crucial for unlocking Africa's economic potential and creating promising prospects for the continent's youth. It highlights that governments can leverage digital tools to increase efficiency, improve revenue collection, and enhance service delivery.
However, the report warns that without decisive action to improve training conditions, these projections could be undermined by worsening unemployment and social inequalities, making these opportunities inaccessible for many young Africans.