Mending Africa’s Tech Skills Gap & Tapping into it’s Youthful Population to Power Innovation in Tech & the African Renaissance

Posted on | March 25, 2012 | No Comments

In a rapidly changing technology world, it’s not only important that one understands how to do your current job/technology well but also be exposed to new ones, particularly in open source and cloud computing and mobile development technologies that may not have originated from the enterprise segment or the 10 year old technology used by your bank. – Mbwana Alliy

In a previous article looking at doing tech business in Africa, we found that Africa’s youthful population is where it’s at. Majority of the African population is under 30 years of age with two thirds being under 25 according to the Africa Commission. We saw that presented an unprecedented potential market for those who can understand this demography and provide what they are demanding.

On the other hand, this youthful population also presents a massive potential labor force. According to the Africa Commission, by 2015 youth will account for up to almost 30% of the total African labor force. If appropriately skilled and exposed, this youthful population can easily provide the brains and smarts to power Africa’s renaissance particularly as far as technology and innovation go. More

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