Smart Africa boosts digital transformation with affordable internet and skills academy

The Director General and CEO of Smart Africa, Lacina KONÉ has announced the launch of the Smart Africa Digital Academy, an initiative aimed at providing affordable devices and digital skills to empower African youth in the digital age. This announcement was made at the inaugural Giga Connectivity Forum, which focused on harnessing the African Union's Year of Education for connectivity and inclusive digital transformation.

The Smart Africa Digital Academy complements the Giga initiative, which aims to connect every school in Africa to the internet. The academy will provide training and resources for students, teachers, and communities, ensuring they have the skills to thrive in a digital world.

Smart Africa is committed to making internet access more affordable for schools and communities, with a goal of reducing costs to below 5% of monthly household income. The organization is exploring innovative solutions, such as pooled procurement and bulk capacity purchase, to achieve this goal.

The Giga Connectivity Forum brought together stakeholders from across the continent to discuss strategies for scaling up school connectivity and promoting digital transformation in Africa. The forum emphasized the importance of collaboration and innovative solutions to bridge the digital divide and ensure inclusive access to education and opportunities.

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye