Unlocking the Potential of Digitization for the Workforce in Sub-Saharan Africa: From Digital Financial Services to Solar-Powered PCs

As digital technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more opportunities for the workforce in Sub-Saharan Africa to be empowered through digitization. Some potential future trends include:

1.) Digital financial services: With more and more people in Sub-Saharan Africa gaining access to mobile phones and the internet, digital financial services such as mobile money and digital lending will become even more important and relevant not just for households but also for businesses. These services can provide greater financial autonomy, access to credit, lending and payroll management for businesses.

A few examples: M-Pesa for Business, Airtel Money for Business, MTN Mobile Money for Business, Branch for Business, Migo for Business and Paystack for Business.

2.) Online marketplaces: The rise of online marketplaces in Sub-Saharan Africa will provide opportunities for workers to sell their goods and services to a wider customer base, beyond their local communities. This will enable them to reach new customers and increase their income. A few examples:

• Jumia: e-commerce platform in Sub-Saharan Africa for small and medium businesses to sell products to customers across the continent, available in several countries in Sub-Saharan Africa such as Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal and more.
• Konga: Nigerian e-commerce platform that offers wide range of products from fashion to electronics, mainly available in Nigeria
• Kilimall: e-commerce platform that operates in Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria, allowing users to purchase products from various categories.
• Jiji: popular classified platform in Africa similar to Craigslist, enables individuals to sell goods and services reaching wider audience in the country or internationally, available in several countries in Sub-Saharan Africa such as Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania and more.

3.) Remote work: With the advancement of digital technologies such as video conferencing and cloud computing, remote work will become more common in Sub-Saharan Africa. This will provide greater flexibility to balance work and personal responsibilities and could also open up new job opportunities. A few examples:

• Andela: Nigerian-based company that provides remote software development services by employing software engineers from Sub-Saharan Africa for international clients.
• Flutterwave: Nigerian payment technology company that utilizes remote teams of employees to work on projects.
• Impact Hub: Co-working space provider with locations in different African countries that offers virtual memberships to provide remote workers access to resources and network
• BitPesa: Kenyan-based digital foreign exchange and payment platform that operates remotely with a workforce spread across different countries in Africa and Europe

4.) Digital education: With the rise of online education, workers in Sub-Saharan Africa will have more opportunities to access education and skills training, which will help them to succeed in a digital economy. A few examples:

• Coursera: offers online courses from universities and organizations worldwide.
• Udemy: offers online courses on a wide variety of topics.
• edX: is a massive open online course provider founded by Harvard and MIT, it offers online courses from universities and organizations worldwide.
• Google Digital Skills for Africa: offers online courses to help individuals acquire digital skills for career and business growth.
• OpenSesame: offers a wide variety of online courses for professional development.
• Andela Learning Community: offers free online courses to prepare individuals for a career in software development
• Data Science Nigeria: offers free online courses on Data Science and Machine Learning.

5.) Virtual health care: With the digitization of health care, people in remote and rural areas of Sub-Saharan Africa will have greater access to health care services. A few examples:

• M-TIBA: a mobile health wallet that allows users to pay for health care services and purchase medicine through their mobile phone, mainly available in Kenya.
• mPharma: A platform that allows users to order medicine online and get them delivered to their location, mainly available in Kenya and Nigeria
• Vula Mobile: A company that uses mobile technology to connect remote communities with healthcare providers, mainly available in South Africa
• Helium Health: A digital platform for healthcare providers to manage patients and clinics, mainly available in Nigeria

6.) Digital agriculture: With the adoption of digital tools, such as precision agriculture, we could see improvements in crop yields, cost efficiencies and income for smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. A few examples:

• One Acre Fund: A pioneer in empowering farmers with training, better supplies and digital innovations for better crop management, and income growth,  available in Rwanda, Kenya, and other countries.
• Farmforce: A digital extension platform that connects farmers to experts for advice and support, available in several countries including Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana.

• WeFarm: a peer-to-peer learning platform for smallholder farmers, powered by text messaging and social media, available in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
• Uzuzi Kilimo: data analytics to help farmers make better crop management decisions, available in Kenya.
• Hello Tractor: A digital platform that connects farmers with tractors and other farm equipment, helping them increase productivity and income, available in Nigeria and Ghana.
• AgroCenta: a digital platform that connects smallholder farmers to markets and financing opportunities, available in Ghana.

7.) Solar Power Windows PCs: The introduction of solar-powered Windows PCs can bring new opportunities for workers in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly for those living in rural areas where access to electricity is limited. These solar-powered devices, which can be charged using natural sunlight, can provide access to digital tools and resources even in areas without reliable power sources. This technology will help bridge the digital divide and increase access to education, business opportunities, and financial services for workers who previously had limited access to these resources.

These are just a few examples of the ways in which digital technology and processes can empower the workforce in Sub-Saharan Africa. By addressing the barriers that prevent access to digital technologies and by investing in education and infrastructure, including solar-powered Windows PCs, we can ensure that workers have the tools and resources they need to succeed in a digital economy and create better future for themselves and their families.