From Learning to Earning: How Skills for Youth Empowerment Create Opportunities

Nelson Mandela once said that education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. That idea is fully embraced by the East African youth we work with everyday. They know that in order to change their community, country and, as a result, the world, they must first create change and opportunity for themselves.

But getting that education, that opportunity is rarely that easy. Rural East African youth, especially young girls, have to overcome a lack of resources, threats of early marriage and the general pressure of giving up school to help provide for their families. As we get ready to celebrate World Youth Skills Day on July 15 (the theme this year is Youth empowerment through digital skills and AI) we’re highlighting stories of how digital learning and resilience are opening the door to entrepreneurship and business ownership.

Empowered to start a retail business in Tanzania

Nasra, the fifth born of seven children, was out of school when she took part in the launch of our Digital Employability and Entrepreneurship Program (DEEP). With her mentors focused on imparting skills for youth empowerment, Nasra got involved in many of the program’s activities.

Eventually, the skills and know how she gained through the program helped her recognize that there was a lack of retail shops to service her neighborhood. She identified that as a business opportunity and was empowered to act on it by the program, opening a small clothing and merchandise retail shop in her community.

“This program has had a huge impact on my life,” said Nasra. “The e-commerce and marketing practice I gained in DEEP helped me see a path to financial independence, through selling clothes and merchandise.”

Since opening her business not long ago, she’s helped her family meet their needs while being able to meet her shop’s monthly rent. To ensure her business grows, she’s focused on offering excellent customer service and making sure customers give feedback on their buying preferences.

“If Asante Africa Foundation had not supported me, I believe my life would have taken a very different turn – possibly even early marriage. I have started helping other youth in my community with digital literacy as well. Your support has changed my life, and I know it can change many more!”

Getting DEEP

DEEP, our Digital Employability and Entrepreneurship Program (DEEP) initiative, is aimed at helping rural youth develop the digital, leadership, and application skills for creating a viable livelihood in East Africa. The initiative provides out-of-school youth (ages 18-24) with a 15-month intensive program, focused on software development, entrepreneurial/business development, and project management, among other things.

At just one measurable level of impact, 85% of DEEP apprentices have built their resumes and secured jobs with different organizations. 10% of the apprentices have started technology maintenance hubs to support tech education initiatives in their communities.

From overcoming fear to building a business

In the village where Fahima grew up, computers and digital technology were meant for boys, not girls like her. This was such a strongly held belief that it initially made her hesitant to even think about working in IT (a dream of hers).

But something inside her wouldn’t give up and she kept herself busy by tinkering (and fixing) her family’s and neighbors’ devices. Eventually this led to her joining our DEEP program.

Fahima learned some essential computer skills that built upon her natural curiosities. She picked up skills like hardware maintenance, Microsoft Word, Excel, and even earned a Google IT Support Certificate. All of this helped her become the go-to tech expert in her community, providing support where before there was none to speak of.

This newfound confidence spurred Fahima to not only launch a delivery service business, but an app she designed to enhance that business. This supports the idea that technology itself is a tool for empowerment, and shows what’s possible when organizations, governments, and communities invest in programs that equip and encourage young women to take their rightful place in STEM.

Did you know:

- 90% of adolescent girls and young women in low-income countries are offline 1
- Only 22% of AI professionals globally are women 2
- Approximately 450 million youth (7 out of 10) are economically disengaged due to lack of adequate skills to succeed in the labor market 3

Sobering facts like these are why we work to empower rural East African youth with digital skills and resources, academic and entrepreneurial training, and social support. Youth empowerment skills create opportunities for children directly – and by way of a Pay it Forward ethos, indirectly create opportunities for the ones that follow.

Ways to celebrate World Youth Skills Day

The digital landscape and tech world is changing so rapidly it can be hard to keep up. The advancements of AI are only exacerbating the learning gaps between prosperous nations and those facing more challenging economic environments.

In 2024, through the hard work of empowered youth, Asante Africa was able to positively impact the lives of more than 24,000 rural East Africans.

As we think about the decade to come, and how it will take all of us to continue upskilling youth like Nasra and Fahima for self-empowerment, we invite everyone to come together to help create the innovators of tomorrow.

Here are some additional ideas on ways to contribute on World Youth Skills Day.

- - - Collaborate globally to share best practices and fund digital skills training
    - Support grassroots innovations (and organizations) that increase youth employability
    - Be part of shaping an inclusive, ethical and empowering future for all youth through AI and digital skills
    WRITTEN BY: Christopher Bass