The advent of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), has triggered unprecedented mutations on how businesses operate around the world thus giving birth to a digital-centric economy in which firms are expanding their boundaries and reshaping traditional production patterns. Information technology and employment experts posit that though ICTs are catalysts for the creation of new businesses and employment opportunities along with higher productivity gains, they also demand new skills set.

 Given that ICTs have permeated all sectors of activity from banking, construction, agriculture transport, education, healthcare and manufacturing to business intelligence, the Fourth Industrial Revolution that is built on digital transformation is becoming a roller coaster in the current and future job market environments – with many jobs going to be lost and several others created. Thus for any economy to survive and thrive in this digital era, it must empower its workforce pool with ample relevant skills.

 

In the face of this challenge, ANTIC on behalf the government runs the Cameroon Digital Skills Campaign (CDSC) – an annual rendezvous that brings together university students, decision-makers, civil society leaders, educationists, business leaders and leaders in the tech industry for informed high level debates intended to seek multifaceted solutions to the digital skills gap in Cameroon.

The third edition of the campaign co-organised by ANTIC and The Change Engine, with the support of Microsoft for Africa is currently underway in Limbe and Buea concurrently and seeks to “sensitise and engage young people on the significance of the Fourth Industrial Revolution as well as the importance of continuous re-skilling and up-skilling to remain relevant in an increasingly digital world.”

 

The three-day campaign, which went underway, 21 April 2021, under the theme: “Digital Skills for Youth Employability and Entrepreneurship in the Post-COVID Technology Driven Economy,” has as primary objective to empower 100 youths drawn from Universities across the South West Region with upper tier digital skills and professional certification by Microsoft and Microsoft 4Africa. These young people will receive the following three Microsoft Professional Certifications: Azure Security Engineer Associate, Azure Data Scientist Associate, Azure Developer Associate.

In his opening keynote address, ANTIC’s Director General, Prof. Ebot Ebot Enaw, posited that youths are key to creating a new path for societal and economic advancement in  Cameroon and as such the Cameroon Digital Skills Campaign serves as a catalyst for mobilising and securing commitments from key players and stakeholders within the digital economy - Government, Private sector, Academia and Civil Society, to build a strong and joint national momentum that will ensure a healthy and well-educated future workforce.