Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) has announced its collaboration with IBM, a multinational technology company, to among others empower youth in Africa and the Middle East with hi-tech digital skills.

The development, officials said, also seeks to bolster workforce readiness proficiencies, and business knowledge needed for successful careers, social wellbeing and economic growth.

Under the partnership, DOT will work with local organisations to help young people tap into IBM’s free Open P-TECH’s (ptech.org) career readiness curricula.

The platform equips learners with competencies in foundational technologies used in all industries, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud computing and cybersecurity, along with professional workplace skills like design thinking, teaming and presentations.

At least 40000 youth in over eight countries including Rwanda, are expected to benefit from the initiative.

"70 per cent of the beneficiaries will be young women,” a statement from the organisers noted.

Besides Rwanda, other countries expected to benefit include, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Malawi, Ghana, Jordan and Lebanon.

"Providing career skills to youth, particularly young women and those from under-resourced communities, can be life changing," said Justina Nixon-Saintil, IBM Vice President and Global Head, Corporate Social Responsibility.

"With resources like IBM Open P-Tech bolstered by the efforts of organizations like Digital Opportunity Trust, we aim to advance equity and create access to opportunity," she added.

The pandemic has laid bare the gaps and inequitable access to the digital literacy, employment and entrepreneurship skills that youth require to innovate, compete for jobs, or start businesses in a digital economy.

Thus the initiative brings together complementary experience and assets: IBM with its technology and business expertise, and DOT with its extensive channels to youth and local community ecosystems.

DOT’s research shows that young people with these skills become the leaders and contributors to the digital transformation of their communities, countries, and economies.

DOT Founder and CEO Janet Longmore said: "DOT and IBM have a history working together and developing the mutual trust that underpins successful collaboration. This partnership, around the Open P-TECH platform, is an example of how the private sector and a social enterprise with "feet on the street" can mobilize their assets to benefit youth and young women in marginalized, rural and remote communities.”

She asserted, "We share a belief that youth want opportunities to be the innovators and catalysts of digital transformation, shaping the future of work in an inclusive world.”