Ghana to create US$4bn digital skills opportunities in next 10 years
Adnan Adams Mohammed
Nearly US$4 billion have identified in Ghana as investing and
training opportunity in digital skills by 2030.
A new report estimates that, “230 million jobs in
Sub-Saharan Africa will require digital skills by 2030,” presenting investors
and education operators with an estimated “US$130 billion opportunity to train
the future workforce in digital skills”, according to a new report, ‘Digital
Skills in Sub-Saharan Africa: Spotlight on Ghana’ released by the International
Finance Corporation (IFC) in cooperation with L.E.K. Consulting.
This is an indication that, demand for digital skills in
Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to grow at a faster rate than in other markets. The demand for digital skills is evolving and
presents opportunities for different stakeholders to play a role, particularly
the private sector. There is the crucial need for digital skills as a driver of
economic growth and competitiveness across sectors in the region—from
agriculture to services.
“It is clear that approaches to learning need to be
reconsidered. One area that has not been fully explored, particularly in
emerging markets, are the digital skills that will enable people to work and
live well in an era of rapid technological change”, Sérgio Pimenta, IFC Vice
President for Middle East and Africa has said.
In a recent survey on digital skills by IFC, from respondents’
feedback, it was estimated that about half of jobs on the continent require
some digital skills and note that demand for these skills will rise more
quickly in Africa than in other regions. This demand is driven both by rapid
economic growth in Africa—home to three of the world’s top five fastest-growing
economies—as well as the digitization and automation of its agriculture, manufacturing,
and services sectors.
The “Fourth Industrial Revolution”, an era characterized by
rapid breakthroughs in technology-related fields, is reshaping the skills that
will be required for the future workforce. The study finds that digital skills
are critical for the future of work, alongside “21st century” social and
behavioural skills, like critical thinking and communication.
Although digital skills are perceived among the top seven
skills for the future of the global workforce, the study finds that these
skills are undersupplied globally and most particularly in Africa. The study
finds that supply of digitally-skilled labor in Sub-Saharan Africa and Ghana
must increase to meet anticipated market needs or Africa’s economies will
falter. Around 80 percent of industry participants interviewed believe that an
undersupply in digital skills would hamper expected economic growth, and nearly
20 percent of Ghanaian companies surveyed recruit only internationally for
digital skills, largely because they cannot find skilled local talent.
Ashwin Assomull, Partner in L.E.K.’s Global Education
practice, says, “The report demonstrates innovative ways private education
providers and investors to tap into the massive training opportunity over the
next decade. A relentless focus on student outcomes and technology industry
alignment is critical to the success of these programs.”
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