MTN Strengthens Africa’s Digital Skills Pipeline Through New Partnerships

MTN Group has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing digital skills development across Africa, highlighting a series oof education and technology initiatives which are aimed at equipping young people with the capabilities needed to participate in the continent’s rapidly expanding digital economy. The announcement coincides with the World Youth Skills Day, which is observed annually on July 15, as Governments, businesses and development partners continue to focus on closing gap amid the growing demand for technology driven jobs.

According to MTN, its digital learning programmes are designed to improv access to practical, industry relevant skills while creating pathways for employment, entrepreneurship and innovation. The telecommunications group said that the initiatives forms part of its broader strategy to support digital inclusion and economic participation across its markets.

The company noted that Africa’s youthful population presents a significant economic opportunity but said that sustained investments in skills development will be critical as technology continues to reshape labour markets. Citing projections that Sub-Saharan Africa’s population will increase by approximately 150 million people over the next five years, MTN said that preparing young people for emerging careers requires more than basic digital literacy, with greater emphasis on technical and workplace ready competences.

Through MTN’s Skills Academy and Government partnerships, universities and technology organisations, the company is expanding digital training programmes in several African countries. In South Sudan, MTN has partnered with government agencies and non-profit organizations Educare  South Sudan to support the JUNub Academy National E-Learning Platform,  a zero rated education system that allows learners and teachers to access approved learning content without incurring mobile data costs. The initiative is intended to improve access to education, particularly in underserved communities where connectivity costs remain to be a barrier.

In Congo Brazzaville, MTN has partnership with the Giovani& Mamie Foundation and Bantu Hu to host the GMU Tech Week 2026 in Pointe-Noire, bringing together more than 200 students for a training programme which is designed to transform youth potential into future technology leadership by training them in emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence.

The company has also established a digital inclusion initiative in Cote d’Ivoire, where it has partnered with the National Institute for the Promotion of the Blind to establish a Braille multimedia Centre equipped with assistive technologies. The facility is designed to help the visually impared students to develop digital skills and access educational resources more independently.

Meanwhile, in Benin, MTN is continuing to grow its TITA Digital Skills Programme, launched in partnership with Digital valley and public universities. The initiative provides training in coding, digital entrepreneurship and content creation and innovation. MTN said the programme has since its launch in 2022 trained over 1000 students and young graduates, some of whom have secured employments in local industries, including opportunities in MTN Benin.

MTN announced that its Skills Academy is now available across 11 African markets and has reaches more than 350,000 learners through collaboration with technology hubs and other ecosystem partners.

Commenting on the programme, MTN Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer Nompilo Morafo said digital skills are increasingly becoming essential for unlocking economic opportunities, adding that the company’s long-term objective is to connect young people with employment, entrepreneurship and innovation opportunities across Africa.

The telecommunications company said it will continue investing in digital skills programmes as part of its strategy to support inclusive economic growth and strengthen Africa’s participation in the global digital economy.

Download the free Kaspersky SMB Cybersecurity Guide here to learn how businesses can move beyond traditional antivirus and build a more resilient approach to cybersecurity.