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Africa is no longer just the continent with untapped potential—it’s quickly becoming the world’s next big hub for digital transformation. For years, conversations about Africa were centred on its natural resources, but today, the spotlight has shifted to something even more valuable: its digital future. With a young, tech-savvy population, increasing access to mobile technology, and a growing digital economy, Africa is showing the world that it’s ready to take the lead in the next wave of global innovation. But it’s important to understand that Africa’s digital transformation isn’t just a tech story; it’s a human story. Think about how fintech has already changed the lives of millions, giving people access to financial services they’ve never had before. Or consider how telemedicine is bridging health care gaps in remote areas. These are not abstract ideas—they’re real, tangible changes that are happening because of digital innovation. The people of Africa are not just passive consumers of technology; they are the driving force behind this movement, shaping solutions that work for them. The world needs to see that Africa is not waiting to be invited to the table—it’s building the table. This article explores 5 African Giants leading the charge in making Africa the next big hub for Digital Transformation. 1. Tunde Kehinde – Co-Founder, Lidya 2. Rebecca Enonchong, FREng – Founder, AppsTech 3. John Kamar - CEO, Adanian Labs 4. Juliet Ehimuan - Founder and CEO, Beyond Limits 5. Iyinoluwa Aboyeji - Co-Founder, Flutterwave and Andela Read about these five individuals here: https://lnkd.in/g3bcn3hh #technology #digitalhub #africa #africangiants #transformation #techhub

🚀 Unlocking Potential in Informal Areas: Business, Connectivity, and Security South Africa’s informal settlements and rural areas hold immense untapped potential for economic growth and digital transformation. Did you know: • Approximately 27.5% of households are located in urban townships, home to 21.7 million people—a significant population ready for innovation and economic opportunities. • Similarly, rural areas host 31.18% of the population, roughly 18.8 million people, spread across 5.5 million households, many of which remain underserved by high-speed internet and reliable security infrastructure. Imagine the possibilities when these areas are equipped with: • Affordable and reliable internet connectivity to bridge the digital divide and empower entrepreneurship. • Enhanced security solutions that provide peace of mind and support thriving local businesses. • Partnerships in tech and development to create sustainable ecosystems and drive local economic growth. Investing in these areas isn’t just about infrastructure—it’s about creating opportunities for millions of people to thrive, innovate, and contribute to South Africa’s economy. At the intersection of business, connectivity, and security lies the future of equitable development. Let’s collaborate to make this vision a reality! #DigitalTransformation #SmartCities #RuralDevelopment #EconomicGrowth #Connectivity #TechnologyForGood

In today’s fast-paced world, digital skills are essential across all sectors, yet Africa faces a significant shortage, especially at intermediate and advanced levels. This gap threatens our continent’s growth. But the future is bright! Africa’s digital landscape is booming, with internet access in Sub-Saharan Africa surging tenfold since 2010. By 2025, our digital economy could reach an incredible US$180 billion! ✨ We’re leading in innovation—mobile financial services, telemedicine, and e-commerce are on the rise. For example, the pandemic has accelerated this shift, with telemedicine projected to grow from US$3.8 billion in 2022 to US$6.4 billion by 2027. - With all these advancements, now is the time to invest in our youth’s future.💡 ⁎ Waloyo Article Resources 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dR_qnnDV ⁎ Article Link 🔗: https://lnkd.in/dMZNXZyZ Freda Gray, Greta Madgwick, Daniel Prinsloo, Lucretia Dreyer #DigitalSkills #YouthEmpowerment #SubSaharanAfrica #FutureOfWork #TechTransformation #EdTech #SkillsDevelopment #Innovation #YouthLeadership #DigitalInclusion #TechForGood #Empowerment #AfricaRising #DigitalEconomy #CodingSkills #WomenInTech #JobCreation #Entrepreneurship #CareerDevelopment #DigitalTransformation

Developing a digital tipping platform in a country that struggles with a technology divide. Let’s talk about it. The ‘digital divide’  in South Africa is not limited to accessibility but is instead characterised by several aspects, such as: 🌐Internet Connectivity 💻Digital Literacy 🤳🏻Quality engagements with digital tools While some communities revel in state-of-the-art technology, others grapple with fundamental access issues. I believe that this divide has far-reaching consequences, especially in the educational sector, where the gap widens existing disparities and impedes equitable access to knowledge and skills essential for a 21st-century workforce. In developing tipped, I was acutely aware of the diverse range of end-users we aimed to serve. Understanding that a significant portion of our target demographic might lack extensive technological proficiency, we developed our software to be intuitive, user-friendly, and accessible across various devices. Every design decision was underpinned by the principle of inclusivity, ensuring that even those less accustomed to technology could seamlessly navigate our platform. This approach required a deep dive into understanding the needs and capabilities of our users. We conducted extensive research, solicited feedback from focus groups, and iteratively refined our platform based on user insights. Through this process, we gleaned valuable insights into the unique challenges faced by individuals with limited exposure to technology, empowering us to tailor our platform to meet their needs effectively. Our process underscores the importance of bridging the technology gap in South Africa. As we strive to narrow the digital divide, it becomes abundantly clear that we need to lean on one another for support and practice active knowledge transfer. #technologydivide #SouthAfrica #tipped

Investing in digital infrastructure is key to expanding access to reliable internet/ devices across Africa. To empower the next generation, comprehensive training programs should equip youth with practical digital skills aligned with industry needs. This vision includes possible solutions such as: • Focusing on digital skill development in low-productivity and informal work sectors (particularly in agriculture), to create jobs for marginalized groups. • Implementing gender-sensitive policies and promoting inclusivity to ensure equal opportunities for women and girls. • Enhancing the overall education quality with foundational digital skills and access to infrastructure, devices, and connectivity. (See article for more solution suggestions) By addressing these challenges, Africa can drive economic growth & reduce youth unemployment. ⁎ Waloyo Article Resources 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dSwtN3KF ⁎ Article Link 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dZ8JYQKn Greta Madgwick, Freda Gray, Daniel Prinsloo, Lucretia Dreyer #DigitalSkills #YouthEmpowerment #SubSaharanAfrica #FutureOfWork #TechTransformation #EdTech #SkillsDevelopment #Innovation #YouthLeadership #DigitalInclusion #TechForGood #Empowerment #AfricaRising #DigitalEconomy #CodingSkills #WomenInTech #JobCreation #Entrepreneurship #CareerDevelopment #DigitalTransformation

Africa is on the brink of a tech revolution! 🚀 With a rapidly growing population of young, tech-savvy individuals and increasing investments in digital infrastructure, the future of IT job growth on the continent is brighter than ever. Countries across Africa are emerging as hotbeds for innovation, with startups and established companies alike harnessing the power of technology to solve local challenges. From fintech to e-commerce and artificial intelligence, the opportunities are endless. As we look ahead, it’s crucial to prioritize skill development and create pathways for the next generation of IT professionals. Collaboration between governments, educational institutions, and the private sector will be key to unlocking the talent that Africa has to offer. Let’s embrace this exciting journey together and empower our youth to lead in the tech space! The future is now, and Africa is ready to shine. #ITJobGrowth #AfricaTech #Innovation #FutureOfWork #TechInAfrica #SkillsDevelopment

Navigating Africa's Digital Landscape Yoftahe Yohannes discusses the transformative potential of #digital #connectivity in Africa, emphasizing its role in economic growth, social development, and cultural enrichment. He highlights key areas such as #financial inclusion, #mobile health, and education while addressing challenges like connectivity gaps, policy shortcomings, and digital literacy issues. Yohannes advocates for improved policy frameworks, digital literacy initiatives, and leveraging technology for business growth. He also foresees significant impacts from emerging technologies like #5G and #AI on the continent's digital landscape. Read full interview here: https://lnkd.in/eXeQEPzZ

Navigating Africa's Digital Landscape

Africa’s transformation cannot happen overnight; there is plenty of groundwork that must be established. For example, only 36% of Africa’s population has internet access and it’s estimated that 20 million new jobs must be created to accommodate the growing workforce. All of this highlights how simply building new infrastructure in Africa is not enough. We must establish support schemes that proactively provide the population with the resources, education and training they need to thrive in our increasingly digital future. #Africa #DigitalTransformation

𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮’𝘀 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿: 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 🌍 As Africa accelerates its #DigitalTransformation, the role of public servants is evolving. They are key to bridging the gap between innovation and governance, yet many still face challenges in digital literacy. To drive impactful change, equipping public sector professionals with #AI and #DigitalSkills is more than a strategy—it’s a necessity. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗜𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 Despite advancements, the 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗘-𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 (2022) highlights that digital literacy gaps among public servants in countries like Uganda continue to hinder efficient, transparent, and citizen-focused services. These gaps restrict: • Governance streamlining. • Adoption of data-driven decision-making tools. • Effective citizen engagement. 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮’𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 & 𝗔𝗜 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 Located in Kenya, the Africa Centre is empowering public servants to tackle these challenges. Drawing inspiration from global successes like Bangladesh’s a2i program, the Centre provides tailored programs to help public officials: 1. Innovate Service Delivery: Leverage AI to optimize processes and eliminate bottlenecks. 2. Enhance Citizen Engagement: Use digital platforms to foster inclusive, real-time communication. 3. Promote Inclusive Governance: Ensure equitable service access, especially for marginalized communities. 𝗔 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 Collaboration is key to scaling these efforts. The Africa Centre is leading by: • Delivering hands-on training tailored to African governance contexts. • Facilitating regional knowledge-sharing for replicable success. • Establishing innovation hubs where public servants can test and apply new skills. 𝗔 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗼 𝗦𝗗𝗚𝘀 Digital skills for public servants align with achieving: • 𝗦𝗗𝗚 4: Quality education through lifelong learning. • 𝗦𝗗𝗚 8: Economic growth with a digitally capable workforce. • 𝗦𝗗𝗚 10: Reduced inequalities via equitable access to services. 𝗘𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗢𝗳 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 • Rwanda’s Digital Transformation Program trained thousands of public servants, creating efficient e-governance platforms. • South Africa’s GovChat facilitates real-time citizen-government interaction, exemplifying digital innovation in governance. Uganda, through the Africa Centre, has the potential to become a regional leader in this space. By prioritizing digital skills development, Africa can unlock a future of more inclusive, efficient, and responsive governance. Let’s #champion this #transformation together. 💡 #AfricaCentreofCompetence #AfricaDigitalCentre #JiendelezeKidigitali UNDP KENYA @MoICTKenya  @KSGKenya Microsoft Google UNDP Uganda UNDP