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Strategies for Enhancing Digital Skills among Africa’s NEET Youth

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  • Gala, Priyal Mukesh
  • Namit, Kabira
  • Kidwai, Huma

Abstract

This background paper examines the critical issue of how to enhance digital skills among youth who are not in employment, education, or training (NEET) in Africa to prevent approximately 72 million young people (two-thirds of whom are young women) from being marginalized in a global economy rapidly undergoing a digital transformation. First, it evaluates the current digital proficiency of the region’s NEET population and identifies substantial structural barriers that contribute to widening digital disparities. Subsequently, the paper explores the transformative potential of digital skills in boosting employability, fostering entrepreneurship, and enabling broader participation in socioeconomic life. Crucially, it then proposes scalable, cost-effective strategies, including public-private partnerships, mobile-first education initiatives, and community-based training programs. These approaches are assessed for their practicality (cost effectiveness and scalability) and for their potential to equip Africa’s NEET youth with the necessary digital competencies. If adopted at scale, these competencies can enable young people to join the economic mainstream and help translate Africa’s demographic potential into widespread social and economic gains.

Suggested Citation

  • Gala, Priyal Mukesh & Namit, Kabira & Kidwai, Huma, 2025. "Strategies for Enhancing Digital Skills among Africa’s NEET Youth," Education Working Papers 203090, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:hdgewp:203090
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    1. Raul Ramos, 2019. "Migration aspirations among youth in the Middle East and North Africa region," Journal of Geographical Systems, Springer, vol. 21(4), pages 487-507, December.
    2. Gregg, Paul, 2001. "The Impact of Youth Unemployment on Adult Unemployment in the NCDS," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 111(475), pages 626-653, November.
    3. Gregg, Paul & Tominey, Emma, 2005. "The wage scar from male youth unemployment," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 12(4), pages 487-509, August.
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