The African Development Bank (AfDB) is set to offer some African Youths who are nicknamed “the digital ambassadors”, an intensive three-month program featuring in-demand skills. The Coding for Employment programme and its technical partners, Microsoft Philanthropies, will create jobs to some youths on the continent.

The African Development Bank’s (AfDB’s) Coding for Employment programme will train over 500 digital ambassadors to lead a peer-to-peer training model set to expand digital skills to more African youth, especially in rural communities with limited internet connectivity. Some of such skills are web design and digital marketing, as well as soft skills such as: critical thinking, project management and communication.

At the end of the coursework, the African Development Bank and Microsoft Philanthropies, will provide graduates with information and communication technology toolkits and resources so they can offer the same training within their local communities.

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Coding for Employment online platforms and in-person class offers these technical courses for free. The program recently hit a 130,000-enrollment milestone among young people across Africa on its eLearning and Digital Nigeria platforms.

The Aim of the Programme

Martha Phiri, director of the AfDB Bank’s Human Capital, Youth and Skills Development Department, stated that the aim of the program is to invest in the youth to be well abreast with digitization.

“It is very important that we build upon the success of the Coding for Employment program to take digital literacy to the grassroots. The community-based model will ensure that the youth in rural areas are digitally empowered, which further affirms the Bank’s commitment to raising the next generation of digitally enabled youth and women on the continent.”
Martha Phiri

The digital ambassadors’ initiative is part of the Bank’s strategy to center its technology and digital investments on the youths. This will enable them to bring about economic and social transformation in the digital age. The digital ambassadors’ peer-to-peer model is expected to draw more youths, because it offers a more personalized learning experience.

The Target Group

Applicants, aged between 18 and 35 years, are expected to be proficient in English or French and must be citizens of Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Nigeria, or Senegal. Coding for Employment expects to expand the digital ambassador program to other countries soon after the pilot phase.

Ghada Khalifa, Regional Director for Microsoft Philanthropies, Middle East and Africa, also underscored the relevance of the youths of the modern day.

“Today’s youth are our future leaders and entrepreneurs, which is why it is so critical that we empower them with the digital skills they need to contribute meaningfully to the global digital economy. Microsoft is honored to be partnering with the African Development Bank on its incredible Coding for Employment program.”
Ghada Khalifa

Digital ambassadors will receive stipends and have access to the digital skills training centers in Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, and Rwanda. They will also have access to a network of employers, private sector partners and freelancing platforms.

The Coding for Employment digital ambassadors’ initiative aims to achieve at least 50% women participation, by collaborating with women’s groups and strongly encouraging women to be part of the programme.