The government
of Zimbabwe, in partnership with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Huawei’s
transformative DigiTruck initiative, has launched the Digital Skills
Ambassadors Program. The program, unveiled under the presence of His Excellency
President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa is designed to bridge the digital divide
by providing accessible and practical training in high-demand areas such as
programming, artificial intelligence (AI), data science fundamentals, and
Android app development.
The initiative,
spearheaded by the Minister of ICT, Postal, and Courier Services (ICTPCS), Tatenda
Mavetera aims to equip 1.5 million
Zimbabweans with cutting-edge digital skills over the next three years. Through
mobile digital classrooms, virtual training platforms like the UDACITY
application, and the transformation of former Community Information Centers
(CICs) into digital hubs, the program will empower communities across the
country, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital revolution.
Hon. Tatenda
Mavetera expressed her excitement about the initiative, stating, “As
Minister of ICTPCS, I am thrilled to spearhead this collaboration, which
empowers communities with cutting-edge digital skills. Our target is to equip
1.5 million coders in the next three years, and our digital ambassadors will
ensure we devolve digital skills to the village level.”
A key feature
of the program is the use of mobile digital classrooms, which will bring
training directly to underserved communities. These classrooms, powered by
Huawei’s DigiTruck initiative, are equipped with state-of-the-art technology
and internet connectivity, enabling participants to access world-class training
regardless of their location.
In addition to
physical classrooms, the program will leverage virtual training platforms like
UDACITY to provide flexible and scalable learning opportunities. This blended
approach ensures that participants can learn at their own pace and access
resources anytime, anywhere.
The program
also includes the transformation of former Community Information Centers (CICs)
into digital hubs. These centers will serve as community access points for
digital training, resources, and support, ensuring that even the most remote
areas benefit from the program.
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
