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Our Programs

Flagship digital skills and innovation programs creating real-world impact in Africa's digital economy.

Young participants using desktop computers during a Digital Economy Africa skills workshop
Young participants using desktop computers during a Digital Economy Africa skills workshop

DEA SkillsLab

Intensive, mentor-led digital skills training for youth and women seeking employment, freelance income, or career transition.

Objectives

  • Deliver market-relevant technical and professional skills
  • Connect graduates to jobs and freelance opportunities
  • Build career readiness through mentorship

Target Audience

Unemployed and underemployed youth and women aged 18–35, career changers, and recent graduates.

Expected Outcomes

  • Job placement and income generation
  • Industry-recognised skills portfolios
  • Strong alumni network for peer support
Facilitator guiding learners during a computer training session

SME Digital Accelerator

A structured programme helping small businesses digitise operations, adopt payments, build online presence, and access new markets.

Objectives

  • Enable SMEs to adopt essential digital tools
  • Improve revenue through e-commerce
  • Strengthen operations with data and payments systems

Target Audience

Small and medium enterprises, micro-business owners, and early-stage founders ready to scale digitally.

Expected Outcomes

  • Measurable revenue and customer growth
  • Operational digitisation
  • Access to mentors and follow-on funding
Youth participants engaged in a Digital Economy Africa learning activity

Digital Rights & Safety Hub

Promoting safer online spaces, digital literacy, data protection awareness, and rights-respecting policy across African communities.

Objectives

  • Raise awareness of online safety and digital rights
  • Train community leaders as digital safety advocates
  • Inform policy with evidence-based recommendations

Target Audience

Community organisations, educators, youth leaders, policymakers, and civil society groups.

Expected Outcomes

  • Increased digital literacy and safer online behaviour
  • Community trainers equipped to cascade knowledge
  • Policy briefs adopted by stakeholders
Youth audience raising hands during a Digital Economy Africa engagement event

Africa Digital Innovation Challenge

A pan-African innovation challenge supporting youth-led solutions that use technology for social and economic good.

Objectives

  • Surface and support high-potential youth-led innovations
  • Provide mentorship, seed funding, and market connections
  • Celebrate African talent solving local challenges

Target Audience

Young innovators aged 18–35 with early-stage tech solutions in health, education, agriculture, finance, and civic tech.

Expected Outcomes

  • Funded and mentored venture teams
  • Demo day exposure to investors and partners
  • Pipeline of investable social-impact startups

Fund or Partner on a Programme

Co-design delivery with us across skills, enterprise, or policy tracks.

Partner With Us