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Good morning!
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Nigeria is gearing up for a digital leap as Minister Bosun Tijani reiterates the plan to roll out 90,000km of fibre optic cables across the country.
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Meanwhile, Google has launched its first AI Community Centre in Accra, Ghana, a vibrant hub for learning, innovation, and cultural expression.
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Got a news tip or scoop? Share it with us. If you've got the inside scoop on something big happening, let us know. We're all ears.
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Trainings, trainings, more digital trainings
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The Lagos State Government’s announcement of the Eko Digital Training program gives hope to the youth of Iba and Ikorodu. Running from July 28 to August 1, 2025, at the Iba ICT Centre and Ikorodu’s IDRDG CBT Centre, this initiative under Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s administration is proof of Lagos’s commitment to equipping its young population with the tools to thrive in a digital world.
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It has a curriculum that will blend digital literacy, entrepreneurial skills, emotional intelligence, and even an introduction to artificial intelligence. The program is poised to transform participants into competitive players in today’s tech-driven global economy. The state’s investment in state-of-the-art facilities and experienced instructors shows a serious intent to bridge the digital divide and foster self-sustenance among its youth.
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This isn’t Lagos’ first rodeo. Earlier trainings in Yaba, Agege, and Epe show a consistent effort to reduce unemployment through strategic skill development. But Lagos isn’t alone in this mission.
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Across Nigeria, various programs are working to empower young people with digital skills, recognising the country’s youthful demographic, 70% of whom are under 35, as a goldmine for tech talent. Let’s take a look at five notable digital training initiatives making waves nationwide:
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Digital Skills for the Workplace (DSFW) by Tech4Dev
Funded by GIZ, this 8-week program equips young Africans with globally employable skills in software development, UI/UX design, product management, cybersecurity, and cloud service management. This has a mix of online and onsite learning, plus internship placements, and is a practical pathway to tech careers.
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Digital Nigeria Programme
Launched in 2020 by then-President Muhammadu Buhari, this initiative, backed by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, partners with IBM to offer over 280 hours of free training in blockchain, AI, big data, and cloud computing. Accessible via the IBM Digital Nation Africa app, it’s designed to empower innovators from the comfort of their homes.
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3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme
Aiming to train three million Nigerians by 2027, this ambitious 2023 initiative by the Federal Ministry of Communications targets technical skills development. It had 1.7 million applications in its first phase, and is the world’s largest talent accelerator, positioning Nigeria as a potential tech talent exporter.
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Gina Mata, Gina Al-Umma by the World Bank
Launched in 2023, this program focuses on girls and young women in Northern Nigeria, particularly in vulnerable communities. It teaches digital marketing, e-commerce, online safety, and financial literacy, empowering participants like Hadiza Mohammed from Abuja’s Kuchingoro IDP Camp to explore remote work opportunities.
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Digital Skills Nigeria (DSN) by Microsoft
A public-private partnership with Tech4Dev and the Federal Ministry, DSN targets youths aged 16–35, offering digital literacy to advanced tech training. It focuses on building employability and institutional capacity, aiming to reduce unemployment across Nigeria’s labour markets.
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These programs, alongside Eko Digital Training, reflect a nationwide push to harness Nigeria’s youthful energy for the digital economy. But here’s the million-dollar question: So, what happens now that they’re out of training?
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The promise of these programs is immense: certifications, skills, and a shot at global competitiveness. Yet, the transition from classroom to career isn’t a walk in the park. Graduates face a gauntlet of challenges that can dim even the brightest prospects:
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Poor electricity supply: Nigeria’s erratic power grid is a notorious bottleneck. Without reliable electricity, practising skills like coding or running digital marketing campaigns become a Herculean task. Generators are costly, and not every graduate can afford them.
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Expensive and unreliable internet: High-speed internet is a luxury in many parts of Nigeria. Data costs can eat into meagre budgets, and when connectivity is spotty, online learning, remote work, or freelancing opportunities slip through the cracks.
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Low purchasing power: Many youths lack the financial muscle to invest in tools like laptops, software subscriptions, or even co-working spaces. This limits their ability to apply their skills effectively post-training.
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Limited job opportunities: While training programs churn out skilled graduates, the job market doesn’t always absorb them. Tech hubs are concentrated in urban centres like Lagos and Abuja, leaving rural participants at a disadvantage.
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Lack of mentorship and support: Post-training support, like internships or mentorship, is often limited. Without guidance, graduates may struggle to translate skills into viable businesses or jobs.
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These hurdles aren’t just inconveniences; they’re systemic barriers that can stifle ambition.
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Lagos could set a precedent by offering post-training resources like subsidised internet access, startup grants, or partnerships with tech firms for internships.
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The success of initiatives like 3MTT, which saw organisations eager to support trainees, shows that private-sector collaboration can amplify impact.
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Nigeria’s digital revolution is underway, but it needs more than training to truly empower its youth. It needs infrastructure, investment, and an ecosystem that lets talent shine.
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Across Africa
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Fintech fever in Naija: Nigeria’s fintech space is buzzing. Now over 400 startups and 58 million mobile money users power a digital finance revolution. Platforms like Moniepoint, Kuda, Palmpay and OPay redefine banking for the young, mobile-first generation, and traditional banks are losing ground to faster, smarter alternatives offering everything from instant loans to full-on POS banking. But which of those fintech apps are the most downloaded? Check here
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Nigeria’s internet superhighway is coming: Nigeria is gearing up for a digital leap as Minister Bosun Tijani reiterates the plan to roll out 90,000km of fibre optic cables across the country. Framing digital infrastructure as essential as roads and bridges, Tijani emphasised its power to transform schools, hospitals, homes, and businesses. Backed by presidential and economic leadership, this bold move could finally lay the groundwork for a truly connected Nigeria, one fibre at a time. - Technext
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Ghana eyes crypto goldmine: Ghana is gearing up to become West Africa’s crypto hub with plans to license digital asset platforms and pass a regulatory framework by September 2025. Spearheaded by the Bank of Ghana, the upcoming law aims to rein in the crypto boom while unlocking investment, enhancing global trade, and capturing real-time financial data. A special unit will also be created to oversee the sector, signalling a bold step toward mainstreaming digital currencies in the country’s economy. - Technext
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Google plants AI roots in Accra: Google has launched its first AI Community Centre in Accra, Ghana, a vibrant hub for learning, innovation, and cultural expression. The Centre merges AI literacy with arts, social impact, and community tech. "Africa is home to some of the most inspiring work in AI today," said James Manyika, SVP at Google. With workshops, events, and training programs tailored to local realities, the Centre is a launchpad for solutions built for Africa, by Africa. - Technext
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Airtel Africa dials up the dollars: Airtel Africa just delivered a stellar first quarter, turning up the volume on growth with a 24.9% revenue jump to $1.4 billion, thanks to a surge in data demand and mobile money adoption across its 14 African markets. Data usage shot up by 47.4%, while mobile money transactions soared to an annualised $162 billion. With more smartphones in users’ hands and Nigerians adjusting to new tariffs, the company saw impressive gains in data revenue (+38.1%), mobile money (+30.3%), and overall customer base (+9%). Airtel is busy connecting profits; they should also connect a good network. - ITWeb
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93% club: Safaricom now has Kenya on speed dial: In a stunning show of dominance, Safaricom has crossed the 50 million customer mark, effectively putting mobile phones in the hands of 93.5% of Kenya’s population. The telco giant credits its year-long customer engagement campaign for the leap, just in time for its 25th anniversary bash in 2025. CEO Peter Ndegwa says the milestone isn’t just a number, it’s a reflection of a “deep connection” with Kenyans, and a promise to keep building the future. - ITWeb
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AI meets epidemics: Africa CDC is rolling out an AI-powered health knowledge portal to transform how the continent tackles emerging diseases. Backed by the Rockefeller and Mastercard Foundations, the Africa Health Knowledge Management Portal will act as a one-stop hub for vital health data, research, and policy insights. With this smart system, African Union member states can more easily access and share crucial information, shaping faster, smarter responses to public health threats. - Africa CDC
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SharePoint breach hits SA: A major cyberattack exploiting a Microsoft SharePoint vulnerability has compromised several South African entities, alongside hundreds of others worldwide. Dutch cybersecurity firm Eye Security revealed that over 400 government bodies, corporations, and organisations, mostly in the US, Mauritius, Jordan, South Africa, and the Netherlands, have been breached, with the real number likely far higher. - Bloomberg
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Global tech watch
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