Digital Transformation in Ghana: A Key to Unlocking Economic Growth
According to the World Bank, 230 million jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa will require digital skills by 2030, highlighting the strategic importance of developing these skills to support growth and employment on the continent. In this context, digital transformation appears as a major lever for the Ghanaian economy. The GSMA estimates that this transition could generate approximately $2.9 billion by 2027. However, the country is facing high youth unemployment, with a rate of 32% for 15-24 year olds in 2024, making it urgent to implement training programs adapted to the needs of the digital job market. Source: Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations (MoCDTI)
Addressing the Challenges
To address these challenges, Ghana considers training in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies as a key tool to reduce unemployment, increase productivity, and strengthen its position in the global digital economy. In this perspective, the Ghanaian government plans a structured training program in AI and data science, in partnership with Japan, through the University of Tokyo and JICA. This program is part of the African initiative of the Matsuo laboratory. It aims to train 30,000 AI professionals over 3 years, with certifications focused on employability and practical skills. Moreover, the use of international partnerships shows that Ghana recognizes the importance of global standards in digital training and wants to accelerate local skills development thanks to Japanese expertise.
Training Programs
The training programs will be delivered online and in English, targeting students from public universities as well as selected secondary schools. The certifications obtained are designed to facilitate immediate professional integration, both in the local and international digital ecosystem. In parallel, complementary programs, such as One Million Coders, aim to train 1 million young Ghanaians in 4 years, in collaboration with global technology players such as Google, Microsoft, TikTok, or AWS.
Creating a Complete Digital Ecosystem
Thus, this project goes beyond the academic framework. It aims to create a complete digital ecosystem, where training, employment, and innovation feed into each other, strengthening both economic competitiveness and professional integration of young Ghanaians.
