This initiative comes after discussions between Guinea’s Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy and UNCTAD’s Director of Technology, Innovation, and Research during the World Summit on the Information Society in Geneva.

According to a press release from the Guinean ministry, the goal of the meeting was to explore how Guinea and UNCTAD could work together, particularly in the area of e-commerce.

The Minister presented the current state of digitalization in Guinea, outlining both the challenges and the exciting potential for growth.

Guinea specifically requested UNCTAD’s assistance in developing a regulatory framework that would support the flourishing of e-commerce and in equipping Guineans with the necessary digital skills through technical training.

UNCTAD responded positively to these requests, expressing its commitment to connecting Guinea with relevant resources within the UN system to bolster both digital and postal services.

They also emphasized the importance of close collaboration between the Ministry of Posts and the Ministry of Commerce to create a thriving trade environment in Guinea.

This meeting aligns with the Guinean government’s ongoing efforts to propel the e-commerce sector forward. According to the Foundation for E-commerce and Distance Selling (Fevad), the industry was already valued at $10 million in 2020 and is experiencing a significant annual growth rate of 20%.

This ambitious plan, announced during the recent AfDB Annual Meetings in Nairobi, Kenya, aims to train a staggering 3 million Africans and 30,000 government officials in AI expertise.

This collaboration marks a significant stride towards building a robust pool of African talent equipped with the skills needed to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

By empowering Africans with AI knowledge, the partnership seeks to unlock economic growth, boost productivity, and transform Africa from a consumer of 4IR technologies to a key contributor and innovator in the field.

The training program will be strategically designed to address critical socio-economic challenges and propel progress in vital sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and education.

The AfDB anticipates this initiative to disrupt traditional growth patterns and usher in a new era of economic development across the continent.

The AfDB and Intel will also work collaboratively to support African governments, regional economic institutions, and continental organizations in establishing comprehensive policy and regulatory frameworks for AI, alongside other emerging technologies like 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, data management, and cloud computing.

Intel’s Director of Government Affairs for Africa, Bienvenu Agbokponto Soglo, expressed his commitment to deepening Intel’s engagement with African governments.

His vision is to democratize access to cutting-edge technologies like AI, dismantling barriers based on location, gender, and ethnicity, and fostering inclusive participation in the digital economy.

Ousmane Fall, Acting Director of Industrial and Trade Development at the AfDB, underscored the critical importance of equipping Africa’s burgeoning youth population with digital skills.

He emphasized the urgency of large-scale and rapid skill development initiatives, considering the swift evolution of digital technologies and the projected surge in Africa’s youth population to 830 million by 2050.

This initiative aims to empower 40 talented young Africans with the necessary skills to thrive in the tech industry.

The Patoranking Foundation Tech Scholarship will target exceptional individuals demonstrating a strong potential for success.

These scholars will receive access to high-quality education and training programs in various fields, such as coding, software development, data analysis, and Salesforce administration.

The curriculum is designed to equip them with in-demand skills for the ever-evolving tech landscape.

“This scholarship is not just about theoretical knowledge,” the statement emphasizes.

To complement their academic foundation, scholarship recipients will also participate in paid internships with the foundation’s tech partners.

This hands-on experience will allow them to apply their newly acquired skills in a professional setting, bridging the gap between theory and practice.

Divesh Sooka, General Manager of ALX South Africa, expressed his optimism about the potential of Africa’s youth.

“We are excited to equip these talented individuals with cutting-edge skills and foster a culture of innovation and resilience,” he remarked.

ALX Africa, with its focus on both technical and soft skills development, aims to prepare young people for success in the digital economy. The organization is dedicated to providing pathways for them to excel in a technology-driven world.