As the world witnesses a digital shift in the global workforce, investments in quality education are imperative and this calls for a digital transformation of education systems so as to generate a workforce for the future, according to Amb. Clever Gatete, the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

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Gatete made the remarks, on February 14, at the opening of the 44th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The meeting brought together African ministers to discuss pertinent issues of concern on the continent including security, trade, and integration.

Gatete’s intervention particularly reflects on the need to educate an African fit for the 21st century through building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning on the continent.

He noted that failure to provide accessible and inclusive education is denying a basic human right which consequently limit prospects to structurally transform, adding that today, quantity, quality, and equal access remain major barriers to education in Africa.

Gatete said that in the 1960s, African leaders questioned the relevance of the colonial education system in meeting the developmental needs of Africa, yet, six decades later, the question remains whether the current education system and curriculum is preparing African youth for the future job market.

The adoption of technology such as smart agricultural technologies, digital platforms, e-commerce, automation, and artificial intelligence are changing the skills required for many economic sectors, he noted.

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Gatete said that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and integrating technical and vocational education and training (TVET) are skills needed to generate wealth and competitiveness by boosting entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation. Available data indicates that less than 25 percent of higher education students in Africa pursue STEM courses, while the gender divide is still wide, meaning that women make up only 30 percent of STEM students.

As noted, inadequate resources, lack of education and absence of basic numeracy are limiting Africa’s STEM landscape.

He said: "We must therefore ask: ‘what investments do we need to make today to generate a workforce for the future?’ Quality education is imperative. This calls for a digital transformation of education systems. We are witnessing a digital shift in the global workforce.”

Africa only accounts for 0.1 percent of global innovation and it only spends 0.45 percent of GDP on research and development. Additionally, Africa’s share of the global patent application is only 0.5 percent, when compared to 66.8 percent for Asia, for instance.

"Without a doubt, it makes good business sense to upscale investments in Africa’s education system toward areas that enhance productive capabilities and boost global competitiveness.

"Sustainable industrialization and economic diversification remain the most promising channels for jobs and wealth creation. Innovation will be the foundation to achieve this,” he added.

According to Gatete, to make the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) work, "we need a skills revolution underpinned by science, technology, engineering and innovation.”

"Africa cannot afford to play small in this 4th industrial revolution. We must be drivers or miss yet another opportunity. We can build technological capabilities that foster value addition in strategic sectors like agribusiness, manufacturing, green transitions, and global health.”

Measurable results, he added, require the necessary investments in infrastructure, resources, and in developing the right curricula which will allow Africa to leverage its natural and human capital, and the demographic dividend, when parts of the world are struggling with aging populations.