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Tag: Digital literacy

  • Kenya launches DigiKen to unlock potential of digital platforms, create jobs

    Kenya launches DigiKen to unlock potential of digital platforms, create jobs

    DigiKen, a transformative initiative designed to empower Kenyans to fully participate in the digital economy, was officially launched on Monday.

    This joint UN and EU programme leverages multi-stakeholder partnerships to foster a thriving digital ecosystem in Kenya and unlock the immense potential of digital platforms.

    Speaking during the launch, MICDE Cabinet Secretary Dr. Margaret Ndung’u emphasized the importance of digital inclusion.

    “In today’s world, access to digital platforms is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. From education and healthcare to economic opportunities and civic engagement, digital inclusion is central to how we live, work, and participate in society,” said Dr. Ndung’u.

    DigiKen, led by UNESCO in collaboration with UNCDF, UN Women, UNEP, and supported by the Joint SDG Fund, aims to close the digital divide and accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Kenya.

    The initiative focuses on empowering marginalized communities, including women, girls, youth, and residents of arid and semi-arid regions as well as urban informal settlements, to participate fully in the digital economy.

    DigiKen nurtures a new generation of digital entrepreneurs by supporting homegrown digital enterprises with the resources and expertise needed to succeed.

    To bridge the digital divide, DigiKen is also equipping government officials with digital skills essential for leading inclusive and sustainable digital transformations while safeguarding human rights.

    The programme empowers communities through digital literacy, entrepreneurship training, and the use of sustainable AI technologies facilitated by 15 Digital Innovation Hubs.

    Through these efforts, DigiKen aims to create 4,500 direct jobs and 20,000 indirect jobs by 2027, impacting over two million Kenyan digital platform users.

    Additionally, the programme will support 150 Kenyan Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in accessing financing for digital platform development and provide training to more than 20,000 government officials.

    DigiKen’s initiatives span various sectors, from improving access to healthcare and education to promoting gender equality and environmental sustainability.

    By leveraging digital platforms to address pressing social challenges, DigiKen envisions a Kenya where technology serves as a catalyst for progress, inclusion, and prosperity.

  • Digital literacy programme for teen mothers launched in Siaya

    Digital literacy programme for teen mothers launched in Siaya

    A non-governmental organisation, Stawisha Africa Initiative has launched a digital literacy programme targeting teen mothers in Siaya.

    According to the Executive Director of Stawisha Africa Initiative, Dan Oduor, the initiative aims to empower young mothers to exploit opportunities within the digital space.

    Speaking during the launch of the programme at Ng’iya in Siaya County, Oduor said that through the digital literacy project, the NGO will strive to bridge the gap in the digital literacy space especially for young women with the focus being the teen mothers who are considered as the underprivileged persons in the society.

    He said they will partner with various players in the industry including the government’s Ajira digital programme whose main role is to train and mentor the young women on digital literacy skills through which they can earn in the digital arena.

    On her part, the Ajira Digital programme official Beatrice Otawa said that the project targets to train at least 70% of young women across the country who will then be linked with jobs once they finish training.

    The Assistant Chief of Mur Ng’iya sub-location Grace Otieno commended the programme, noting that it will change the young women’s socio-economic standards.

    The first cohort of Stawisha Africa’s digital literacy programme led by Ivy Awuor and Audrey Muhonja expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the organization, noting that this will tremendously impact in their lives.

  • Over 700 pupils to benefit from TechLit Africa new ICT labs

    Over 700 pupils to benefit from TechLit Africa new ICT labs

    Over 700 Pupils from Amagoro Primary School will benefit from ICT labs constructed through a partnership with TechlitAfrica.

    The labs will help promote digital literacy and also boost the CBC (Competency-Based Curriculum) implementation.

    Speaking to parents during the commissioning of the lab, Sheran Amai Oradu of Oradu Foundation said the implementation this technology literacy computer lab was made possible by Techlit Africa in collaboration with Oradu Foundation and the Amagoro School Alumnae.

    “In effort to ensure our society is connected to the global opportunity in different sectors, TechLit Africa provided 28 macbook laptops for the lab as well as the curriculum for training,” noted Oradu

    The lab which has been operational for two terms has equipped learners with programming skills in coding, python and excels skills.

    “In bid to drive sustainability, we would like the parents to come along and pay a fee of ksh 200 per term per student toward the 50,000 per month that is needed to run the lab. This fee is paid directly to TechLit Africa, and it goes toward curriculum development, a teacher, and maintenance of the computers,” she added.

    The CSO (Curriculum Support Officer) Elizabeth Oloo and County Quality and Standards Officer Patrick Mwangi urged the community and school management to ensure safety of the equipment to avoid cases of theft that have been on the rise in Teso North Sub-County.

    Techlit Africa operates in 28 countries and in Kenya so far Baringo and Busia are the first beneficiaries of the program.

  • Meta, Digify Africa partner to boost digital literacy levels in Kenya

    Meta, Digify Africa partner to boost digital literacy levels in Kenya

    Digify Africa has rolled out an online training programme to boost digital literacy levels among the youth in Kenya.

    The digital marketing skills course, DigifyPro, launched in Nairobi at the weekend is aimed at equipping the youth with digital skills and competencies to help them start and grow careers in the new digital economy.

    It will be provided with support from Meta which operates digital platforms Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp for Business. Digify Africa project manager Kenya, Celestine Ukpere said the programme will help unemployed learners become competent digital marketing professionals with practical experience in social media, analytics, search, SEO, content and UX.

    “Using a blended learning approach, we are able to deliver immersive and impactful learning experiences. The programme is designed to upskill the next generation of digital talent in preparation for jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities across the continent,” said Celestine.

    The practical, hands-on sessions will help participants to develop powerful digital marketing skills for use on Meta platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram for Business. Participants will learn how to amplify business’s online presence, define their social media audience, integrate WhatsApp into their marketing strategy, create content on their phone, understand the customer journey and launch paid ads.

    “Over the last few years there has been increased demand for digital migration in Africa and Digify Africa has taken a front seat in closing the gap by addressing low digital literacy levels in the continent. We want to help young people and organizations make a better living in the digital age,” Celestine said.

    According to the 2021 Ibrahim Forum Report, 58% of Kenyans have access to the internet, but only 29% of the population has a basic level of digital literacy.

    The lack of digital literacy hinders the country’s economic growth and results in missed opportunities. The digital marketing skills programme will focus on new and emerging demand-driven digital skills that can create livelihoods.

    Digify Africa is operating in more than 10 countries in Africa, including Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria.

    “We help young people gain and grow their careers or businesses. As a result, we help organizations – big and small – to thrive in the digital age. Our model is scalable and youth-driven via a continent-wide network of digital professionals,” explained Celestine.

    Digify Africa’s DigifyPro is a new pathway in education, employment and empowerment, proving that by learning and improving digital skills, one can increase their chances of becoming employed or starting their own business or freelance career in Africa.

    DigifyPro won the Bookmark Award for best contribution to transformation in South Africa’s digital industry in 2017 and 2019 and is expected to shape Kenya’s digital economy too.

  • State rolls out laboratories to scale up digital literacy

    State rolls out laboratories to scale up digital literacy

    The Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy has embarked on the establishment of laboratories across the country to scale up digital literacy.

    ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo said the initiative targets to enhance digital literacy and skills amongst the youth and members of the public as the government moves to accelerate access to the internet through the digital superhighway project.

    A total of 23, 000 devices, he said are set to be installed in schools, universities, Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) institutions, Vocational Training Centers (VTC), and village ICT hubs to facilitate the training.

    The digital literacy programme, he said, was critical for the government to achieve its bottom-up economic transformation agenda adding that through the laboratories, the youth and other segments of the population at the bottom of the pyramid were set to benefit.

    “We want our youth and the public at large to uptake digital skills so that they are relevant in the current operating environment,” he said.

    Speaking during the launch of a digital laboratory at Maseno School in Kisumu County, Owalo said the move was in tandem with the government’s agenda to digitize services.

    So far, he said over 6, 000 services have been digitized with additional services set to be uploaded on the E-citizen platform before the end of the year.

    “As we do this we must correspondingly facilitate digital literacy amongst our youth and the Kenyan public and public sector officials to facilitate optimal uptake of the digital infrastructure we are putting in place,” he said.

    The CS asked traders at the bottom of the pyramid to take advantage of the digital laboratories and training and leverage of the free public Wi-Fi being installed at various markets and bus parks across the country to venture into e-commerce.

    “We are setting up a total of 25, 000 free public Wi-Fi hotspots spread equally across the country targeting segments of the society operating at the bottom of the pyramid,” he said.

    He disclosed the Government’s plan of rolling out a national addressing system and digital identification cards to make e-commerce a reality.

    Affordable locally assembled smart mobile phones, he added, were set to be launched in August to ensure that as many Kenyans as possible make use of the digital infrastructure installed by the government.

    The devices to retail at Ksh 5, 600, he added will scale up consumption of online government services and online work.

    The government, he said, has opened talks with global digital technology giants to link them with Kenyan youths for opportunities to work online.

    Reporting by KNA