The African Development Bank (AfDB) will be training over 500 digital ambassadors across Africa under the Coding for Employment program. These ambassadors are expected to lead a peer-to-peer training model set to expand digital skills to more African youth, especially those in rural communities where internet connectivity is limited.

The Coding for Employment program, together with Microsoft Philanthropies, its technical parter, will offer the digital ambassadors an intensive 3-month program featuring in-demand skills such as web design and digital marketing as well as soft skills such as critical thinking, project management and communication.

After completing the course, the African Development Bank together with Microsoft Philanthropies will provide graduates with information and communication technology toolkits and resources so they can offer the same training within their local communicates.

The program recently hit a 130,000-enrollment milestone among young people across Africa on its eLearning and Digital Nigeria platforms. The online platforms and in-person classes run under the program offer the technical courses for free.

Digital ambassadors will receive stipends and have access to the digital skills training centers in Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, and Rwanda. They will also have access to a network of employers, private sector partners and freelancing platforms.

The Coding for Employment digital ambassadors initiative aims to achieve at least 50% women participation by collaborating with women’s groups and strongly encouraging women to be part of the program.

Requirements to apply for African Development Bank ‘Coding for Employment’ program:

Applicants must be aged between 18 and 35 years
You are expected to be proficient in English or French
You must be citizens of Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Nigeria, or Senegal.
Coding for Employment expects to expand the digital ambassador program to other countries soon after the pilot phase.

The digital ambassadors initiative is part of African Development Bank’s strategy to center its technology and digital investments around the youth and enable them to bring about economic and social transformation in the digital age. The digital ambassadors peer-to-peer model is expected to draw more youth because it offers a more personalized learning experience.

“It is very important that we build upon the success of the Coding for Employment program to take digital literacy to the grassroots. The community-based model will ensure that the youth in rural areas are digitally empowered, which further affirms the Bank’s commitment to raising the next generation of digitally enabled youth and women on the continent,” said Martha Phiri, Director of African Development Bank’s Human Capital, Youth and Skills Development Department.

“Today’s youth are our future leaders and entrepreneurs, which is why it is so critical that we empower them with the digital skills they need to contribute meaningfully to the global digital economy. Microsoft is honored to be partnering with the African Development Bank on its incredible Coding for Employment program,” said Ghada Khalifa, Regional Director for Microsoft Philanthropies, Middle East and Africa.