Such data reveals the urgency for governments to address the growing skill divide by promoting digital literacy training at all education and workforce levels. This training should focus on the acquisition of technical skills (e.g. data and web management, but also target other skills such as creativity, critical thinking, flexibility, and communication, all of which are in high demand. It goes without saying that widening the pool of digitally-literate people would increase the market size and adoption of digital solutions by African entrepreneurs. And as governments work on skill-building, it is imperative that they also address critical policy issues related to gender disparity, the high cost of internet, low access to digital devices, labour market access, and opportunities for diaspora skills repatriation. In this regard, it would be helpful to leverage public-private partnerships in planning apprenticeship programs, workplace training and entrepreneurial skill development. For a rapid take-off, AfriLabs can create the content needed to guide policy development, and the establishment of multi-stakeholder partnerships for knowledge sharing on digital skill transfer. AfriLabs presently develops locally-relevant content and platforms for digital skill training through its Capacity-Building Program (ACBP). Now in its third year, the program identifies the needs of hubs and entrepreneurs, and links them to the requisite skill development content, as well as peer expertise and training.
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