Africa Code Week helped seven African countries incorporate coding into their national curricula.
Software giant SAP is withdrawing from the AfricanCode Week initiative as it shifts focus to employability and 'earn while you learn' skills development programmes.
Led by SAP in 2015 as part of a social investment to drive sustainable growth in Africa, the digital skills development initiative, in partnership with UNESCO, the African Association for the Development of Education and Aid Ireland, has reached 17 million people since its launch. It has benefited more than 100 African youth. .
SAP said in a statement that it is withdrawing from the initiative, but that its partners will continue to work with marginalized regions in Africa.
“From 2024, SAP Corporate Social Responsibility will pass the baton to UNESCO to continue the mission of Africa Code Week as it shifts its focus to skills for employability and the ‘Learn to Earn’ pathway.” ” said Claire Gillisen-Duval, Senior Director, SAP. Assessing corporate social responsibility in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Central and Eastern Europe.
“We have dedicatedly worked to prepare all young people to succeed in the ever-changing landscape of the modern world. There is still more to do.”
Gillissen-Duval notes that the initiative has helped seven African countries integrate coding and computational thinking into their national curricula, advancing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
In 2023, the program will impact more than 2.4 million young people, approximately 46% of whom are women. More than 1,200 workshops were held annually, involving countries such as Tunisia, Cameroon, Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, and Morocco, and he reached 25,550 teachers across Africa.
Last year, African Code Week announced a two-year action plan as part of the second phase of its coding initiative. The plan includes engaging governments across Africa to play a greater role in promoting the adoption of coding in their schools.
“Our overarching goal is to embed coding into national curricula, and maintain active engagement with ministries of education across Africa to help young people develop a comprehensive skill set that is becoming increasingly essential. We achieved this by ensuring access,” says Gillissen-Duval.
Africa is facing increasing demand for digital skills, with 70% of jobs predicted to require digital skills by 2030. SAP launched its Digital Skills Program nine years ago, recognizing the need to upskill students and educators across the continent.
Last year, the firm's research report, Africa's Technology Skills Shortage Revealed, highlighted the challenges and opportunities for African organizations seeking to expand the availability of skills for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“As champions of equal access to education, we believe that future skills will continue to play a vital role in shaping the trajectory of tomorrow's workforce,” Gillissen-Duval concludes.