Digitalization is one of the most transformative opportunities of our era and a powerful tool for eradicating poverty while sustaining a livable planet.
We are witnessing a rapid evolution of digital technologies that are reshaping societies and our daily lives.
The swift advancement of technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) is enhancing digital capabilities in many countries, though not universally.
Despite the vast potential of digitalization for creating jobs, reducing poverty, and improving service delivery, the Eastern and Southern Africa region lags behind, with the slowest pace of digitalization globally.
As of 2023, only 64% of the population in this region has access to high-speed internet, and just 24% are internet users.
This trajectory must change. Without widespread internet access and digital literacy, hundreds of millions of Africans, including the continent’s youth, will remain marginalized.
This is particularly concerning as Africa is poised to have the youngest and fastest-growing working-age population in the world by 2050.
By 2030, Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to create 230 million digital jobs, mainly from the growth of digital services. These jobs will require both advanced digital skills and basic knowledge of digital tools and finance.
However, the region currently has a big gap in digital skills, along with ongoing gender inequalities.
Many companies are slow to adopt new technologies, which limits productivity and prevents the creation of high-skilled jobs.
This skills gap also affects the public sector, making it hard for governments to keep up with fast-changing technology.
On this World Youth Skills Day, it’s important that we work together to speed up digital adoption in the region so that everyone, especially young people, can benefit.
At the World Bank Group, digital development is a top priority.
In Eastern and Southern Africa, we aim to help countries ensure that by 2030, all citizens—especially youth and women—businesses, and government agencies are digitally connected. To do this, we are supporting investments in digital infrastructure, skills training, online services, and new regulations.
Eastern and Southern Africa face major challenges in digital development, like a lack of digital infrastructure, limited access to affordable internet, and a shortage of digital skills. However, the region has made progress over the past decade.
For example, in Malawi, the Digital Foundations Project, funded by the International Development Association (IDA), has connected 530 public institutions, including hospitals and post offices; provided internet access to schools, benefiting 84,000 students; offered free Wi-Fi in 120 public areas; established a national data center; and supported TechHubs that have trained 19,000 young people as of 2024.
In Tanzania, the East Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project, also funded by IDA, is helping to create a Regional ICT Center (RAFIC) at the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology.
This center will train a skilled workforce in ICT to meet the needs of the East African labor market.
RAFIC will include labs for cybersecurity, multimedia, digital fabrication, electronics, communications, blockchain, and software development.
Another exciting initiative is the newly approved Inclusive Digitalization in Eastern and Southern Africa (IDEA) Program, which aims to increase access to and use of the internet and digital services.
This program, which is expected to benefit over 180 million Africans by 2032, is the first of its kind in the region and offers a great chance to achieve universal digital access and unlock the region’s digital economy.
The IDEA Program focuses on building digital skills for everyone—citizens, businesses, and the public sector.
Digital inclusion is crucial. Everyone, including young people, women, marginalized groups, and people with disabilities, should have equal, fair, and safe access to information and the digital skills they need.
Unfortunately, this is not the case today. For example, women face many obstacles to accessing and using digital tools, such as cost, lack of education, risk of online abuse, and a lack of content targeted to them.
The IDEA Program, along with our new Regional Gender Action Plan for Eastern and Southern Africa, will address these issues.
These are just a few examples of the many exciting initiatives happening in the region that will create new opportunities for Africa’s youth and help them reach their full potential.
By focusing on digital development and partnering with both the public and private sectors, we can strengthen African economies, raise incomes, and create jobs. The continent is full of youthful energy and talent.
I encourage you to join our conversations on X and Facebook this week, where you can hear from inspiring young digital entrepreneurs from Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Malawi, who are already driving the region’s digital transformation.
