An effective digital transformation strategy is
a catalyst for business growth and allows organizations to make most of the
cutting-edge technological innovations. With technology disrupting most
traditional business models, organizations need to invest more than ever to
stay relevant in a fiercely competitive market. Also, there is the need to put
people at the center of the digital future by equipping them with foundational
skills in literacy and numeracy, digital and “soft” skills such as
communication, management, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Lack of such relevant skills in the digital age can limit opportunities for
many African countries to make the most of digital technologies and catch up.
Individuals have the chance to tap into the many areas in the digital space and
must position themselves in order not to be denied the opportunity to live to
expectation.
The inability of the formal sector employment
to keep pace with population growth is forcing most of the youth into the
growing informal economy-safeguarding employment and income, thus allowing
young people to enter the labour market. Digital technologies, however, have
diverse effects on the work of those in the informal economy. Technology-based
innovation processes in the informal economy can enhance productivity and the
working conditions of those who work in the informal economy. However, it can
also mean new dependencies and discrimination. Digitalization requires those
who work in the informal economy to have new skills–digital skills but also
basic literacy.
For instance, capturing data makes it easy for
End Users to digitize content. Data capture, or electronic data capture, is the
process of extracting information from a document and converting it into data
readable by a computer. Data capturing can also refer to collecting relevant
information, whether sourced from paper or electronic documents. It is
important for businesses in the informal sector to learn to digitally capture
and route information, in simple and effective ways, integrating with desktop
scanners, multi-function devices, mobile devices, email, and existing business
applications. Learning to trade online, creating digital signatures, emails,
and accounts, accessing digital and payment platforms, etc., should not be the
preserve for the formal sector only. The informal economy needs much introduction
and training in relevant skills to elevate and catch up to the time. For
example, only a few citizens have digital IDs or transaction accounts–locking
them out of access to critical digital services and e-commerce.
For many youths, marginalized sections of
society, and adult learners, access to digital and soft skills training can be
expanded through non-formal technical and vocational education and training
provided by government institutions outside the formal education system,
non-governmental organizations, and civil society, international organizations,
and the private sector. This requires adequate funding to relevant and flexible
courses that are aligned with employers’ or industry needs, as well as
continuous professional development for trainers and resources.
As Ghana progresses with its digitization
agenda, policy interventions are needed and should be prioritized to increase
female access to and enrolment in formal and informal technical and vocational
education and training, as well as developing gender-sensitive, employer-led
training models. Policies should also be directed at prerequisites that are
required to prevent the digital divide from becoming wider and to ensure that
disadvantaged groups also benefit from the digital transformation. These
policies must strengthen innovation and knowledge systems through domestic
markets. This can help businesses develop marketing strategies, move into more
sophisticated products, boost technology uptake, and increase implementation
and innovation. This also promotes strategies to nurture and support skills
upgrading, employment initiatives, and developing the infrastructure for
training programs in digital skills. Certainly, this can also boost Ghana’s
readiness to leverage cross-border trade opportunities.
Educational and research institutions, training
providers, and businesses need to promote digital skills development and
upgrading. Industry associations, research and development organizations,
makerspaces, hubs, and technology parks must collaborate to scale up digital
skills development and training in Africa, centered on the future of the
workforce, and in areas such as robotics, Internet of things, artificial
intelligence, digital design and fabrication, 3D printing, cybersecurity,
cryptography.
Africa can harness the digital economy as a driver of growth and innovation, but if it fails to bridge the digital divide, its economies risk isolation and stagnation. If industries in emerging economies and developing countries grow because of new technologies, this may increase the number of formal jobs and cause a corresponding reduction in informality. It is therefore important for developing economies to take deliberate steps to invest in digital skills development and transformation.
Author: Richard
Kafui Amanfu – (Director of Operations, Institute of ICT Professionals, Ghana)
For comments, contact richard.amanfu@iipgh.org or Mobile:
+233244357006
