South Africa Trains 30,000 Youth in AI and Digital Skills

South Africa's youngest job seekers just got a powerful new pathway into the digital economy, and it won't cost them a cent.

The Womandla Foundation has launched Phase Two of Reskilling Revolution Africa, a free training program that's already reached 30,000 young people across Nigeria, Ethiopia, and South Africa. Partnering with IBM SkillsBuild and the International Association of Volunteer Effort, the initiative teaches future-ready skills like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship through self-paced online courses.

The timing couldn't be more critical. South Africa's youth unemployment rate for people aged 15 to 24 hovers near 59%, one of the highest in the world. As automation begins transforming sectors like call centers and business process outsourcing, young workers need new skills to stay competitive.

Here's how it works: participants enroll through local nonprofits, complete curated learning pathways over 8 to 10 weeks, and earn globally recognized certificates. They also get mentorship, volunteering opportunities, and post-training support to help turn their new credentials into actual jobs or businesses.

"At IBM, we believe that access to technology skills is a catalyst for inclusive economic growth," said John Matogo, IBM's corporate social responsibility leader for Middle East and Africa. The African Union endorsed the program in 2023, recognizing its potential to prepare the continent's workforce for rapid technological change.

Phase Two expands the course catalog to include green skills and advanced AI training. The Womandla Foundation now offers 36 free learning paths spanning entrepreneurship, STEM fields, and creative industries, from beginner to advanced levels.

The Ripple Effect

What makes this program different is how it meets young people where they are. Khadija Richards, head of impact at Womandla, sees automation not as a threat but as a turning point that's creating new opportunities in AI supervision, customer experience design, digital operations, and platform entrepreneurship.

"Africa is the youngest continent in the world," Richards said. "Young people are already digitally adaptive, entrepreneurial, and comfortable navigating change. When AI moves quickly, youth are often the first to experiment with it."

Sam Gqomo, founder of Womandla Foundation, points out that many young South Africans want portfolio careers combining traditional jobs with side hustles and family businesses. The current education system wasn't built for that reality, but programs like this one are.

The key challenge isn't ability but alignment. Education and policy cycles move in years while AI capabilities evolve in months. Short training programs and certificates still aren't taken seriously in many hiring systems, even though employers desperately need those exact skills.

Samuel Turay, Africa Senior Program Manager from IAVE, believes partnerships like this show what's possible. "Together, we are creating practical pathways that empower people to participate meaningfully in the economy," he said.

Africa's youth aren't behind the curve, they're ready to lead if given the right tools and recognition.