Vodacom, in partnership with the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) and leading technology providers, has launched a new initiative to equip young people in the Eastern Cape with vital digital skills. The programme is designed to address one of the province’s most pressing challenges – youth unemployment – by preparing the next generation to thrive in South Africa’s growing digital economy.
Through the Vodacom Group Digital Skills Hub, young people gain access to practical, engaging training that introduces them to in-demand areas such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. The Hub also offers courses through platforms like AWS Educate, giving beginners access to an extensive library of self-paced digital learning.
The initiative forms part of Vodacom’s broader ambition to close the digital skills gap across Africa, with the goal of upskilling one million young people by 2027. The Digital Skills Hub is already active in South Africa, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Lesotho, Egypt, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Kenya – connecting learners to opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
For the Eastern Cape, where unemployment rates remain among the highest in the country, the programme represents a turning point. “The roll-out of the Digital Skills Hub demonstrates our commitment to using resources and technology to respond to socio-economic challenges,” said Zakhele Jiyane, Managing Executive for Vodacom Eastern Cape.
The ECDC has echoed this sentiment, calling the partnership an investment in long-term transformation. “This partnership is not only about digital literacy but also about equipping young people with the confidence and opportunities to compete globally. It is a catalyst for the province’s social and economic renewal,” explained Baphelele Mhlaba, Acting Executive: Economic Development and Sector Support at the ECDC.
The urgency is clear. According to Stats SA, millions of young people in South Africa remain outside employment, education, or training, with the Eastern Cape consistently recording unemployment above the national average. Yet, as the International Finance Corporation predicts, by 2030 over 230 million jobs in Africa will require digital skills – creating vast opportunities for those who are prepared.
For Vodacom, the Hub is about far more than training. It’s about opening doors to the future. “Our aim is to inspire the next wave of digital innovators, nurture a pipeline of young talent, and advance Africa’s digital future,” said Matimba Mbungela, Chief Human Resources Officer at Vodacom Group.
By bridging the gap between potential and opportunity, the Digital Skills Hub is helping young South Africans take their place in a more inclusive and connected digital society – one where the Eastern Cape can shine as a hub of innovation and progress.
