ALX advocates effective system to boost youth productivity

ALX, a pan-African talent accelerator, is pushing for an effective alignment between training providers, employers, governments and development institutions to harness Africa's burgeoning youth talent for job creation, entrepreneurship, and broader economic growth. Ruby Igwe, Regional Director for West and Central Africa at ALX, emphasized that while young Africans are actively developing digital skills, launching businesses, and taking part in the gig economy, the focus should shift from readiness to the readiness of the systems that can scale their impact.

ALX has trained over 350,000 young Africans since 2021, reflecting a significant demand for skills development. However, with 10 to 12 million young Africans entering the labor market each year, but only about three million formal jobs being created annually, there is a substantial opportunity gap. This scale of opportunity cannot be addressed by any single institution alone.

Igwe stressed that as Africa continues to industrialize and digitally transform, the emphasis should be on expanding access so that more young Africans can participate. She outlined four areas requiring coordinated action: skills providers should offer practical, industry-aligned training; governments must strengthen infrastructure and policy frameworks; development institutions must facilitate financing for proven, scalable models; and employers need to define the required skills and provide meaningful entry-level pathways for emerging talent.

Igwe also highlighted that digital fluency is not limited to technical fields; it is becoming increasingly relevant across all sectors. She urged a mindset shift towards digital fluency and adaptability, irrespective of one's academic background.