Digital economy creating more jobs, led by youths
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
A survey of 4,500 people from Kenya across to Nigeria and Ghana shows the biggest advantage of the growing digital economy on the African continent is job creation, with a tech savvy younger generation exploring all vistas of innovation.
Africa Innovation Impact Report by Talking Drum Communications (TDC) and Survey54 highlights exposure of youths to technology, growing financial inclusion, and the potential to plug infrastructure gaps all benefit from digital economy.
The report disclosed that education (21.1 per cent) is considered the sector most impacted by technology innovation on the continent over the past two years, more than financial services (18.3 per cent) and entertainment (15.1 per cent).
“Our aim with the report is to capture the impact of Africa’s emerging innovation narrative beyond anecdotes and hearsay and contribute to the conversation about how we keep things moving forward,” TDC founder and Managing Director Olugbeminiyi Idowu said.
“Based on the data we have gathered, the innovation coming out of Africa is not only changing the way people live and work. It is also changing the way people think, and how they view themselves as Africans and driving demand for more innovation.
“There is a growing appetite for these innovations, both from African users and global investors, and there is much to be excited about what the future holds.”
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Expanding digital economy to meet growing needs
“With Africa’s share of the global population poised to increase from 17 per cent in 2020 to 26 per cent in 2050 and 39 per cent by 2100, the continent’s digital economy must expand accordingly to meet the growing needs,” the report added, per The PUNCH.
“African innovators and entrepreneurs are increasingly rising to the challenge of identifying and creating solutions for various challenges, and the stage looks set for more innovation stories to emerge.
“There is a growing appetite for these innovations, both from African users and global investors. Hence, there is much to be excited about what the future holds.”