Strive Masiyiwa Urges African Youth to Prioritize Skill Acquisition in the AI Era
Story by: Nartey Solomon Tetteh
Founder and Executive Chairman of the Econet Group, Strive Masiyiwa, has called on African youth to prioritize acquiring essential skills, highlighting that in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), skills are critical to staying relevant in the workforce.
The potential impact of AI on youth employment in Africa has sparked considerable debate. While AI and automation technologies are expected to disrupt industries globally, including those in Africa, the extent of job losses among young people will largely depend on how governments, businesses, and educational systems adapt to these changes.
As AI may replace certain jobs, it is also expected to create new opportunities in areas such as software development, data analysis, and cyber security. Young Africans equipped with the right skills could seize these emerging roles.
Speaking at the Global AI Summit on Africa, Masiyiwa emphasized the importance of recognizing and embracing the opportunities presented by the AI revolution. He underscored the need for education systems to evolve, focusing on providing young people with the foundational skills required to thrive in this new era.
“We’re a continent of hustlers, but a hustler with no skills in the age of AI will sleep hungry,” Masiyiwa stated.
He further stressed that Africa must prioritize teaching children skills like coding, mathematics, and science, rather than focusing solely on learning English or French.
“Our education systems of reading and writing are now obsolete. We will not have a seat at the table if our kids can’t do math, can’t code, and don’t study science in school, while we continue to focus on speaking French and English,” he stressed.
Masiyiwa acknowledged that AI would be disruptive, urging youth to embrace this reality and equip themselves to meet future demands. He concluded by stating that while some people may lose their jobs, every technological advancement has historically created such shifts, and it’s crucial to fully appreciate the emergence of this new age.
