MTN uses AI to connect African youth to jobs

MTN, the telecommunications giant, is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline employment opportunities for young Africans through its MTN Skills Academy platform. The innovative AI-powered Job Board, now accessible in 11 African markets including South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, Rwanda, and Ghana, combines job discovery with skills development.

The Job Board tailors job recommendations to users based on their skills, location, and career aspirations. This not only helps users identify suitable vacancies but also allows them to address potential skills gaps by enrolling in relevant courses, thus creating a direct link between employment opportunities and personal development.

Unlike traditional job platforms that primarily list vacancies, MTN’s Job Board uses AI to analyze the learners’ profiles and match them with relevant opportunities. Users can filter and save these vacancies, as well as track their application status from interviews to final offers.

Marina Madale, the MTN Group’s executive for sustainability and shared value, emphasized that the platform aims to bridge the gap between skills development and economic participation. She highlighted that young people face diverse circumstances but share the need for relevant skills and clear pathways to opportunity. Simultaneously, employers in Africa are seeking individuals equipped with digital capabilities in an increasingly digitized economy.

According to MTN, over 60% of Africa’s population is under 25 years old, and by 2030, more than 230 million jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa will require digital skills. The AI-powered Job Board ensures that learners can seamlessly transition from skill acquisition to employment, making digital and financial inclusion more meaningful in the context of economic participation.

MTN Skills Academy, launched in 2022, provides free training in digital literacy, coding, data analytics, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and entrepreneurship. It has already recorded nearly 526,000 enrollments and 192,000 course completions across its 11 markets, with 1,122 specializations completed. Upon course completion, learners receive certified digital certificates to demonstrate their achievements to potential employers.

The addition of AI-powered job discovery to the Skills Academy marks an expansion beyond digital training to connect skills development with employment and broader economic participation. Users can now access the Job Board directly from the MTN Skills Academy, furthering MTN’s commitment to digital and economic inclusion.