SARAO, Digiskills Africa launches third cohort to strengthen Africa’s future workforce
DigiSkills Africa has launched its third pan-African Digital Transformation Programme cohort in Johannesburg from 8-12 June 2026, bringing together participants from across the continent to develop the capabilities needed for Africa’s rapidly evolving digital economy.
SARAO and DigiSkills Africa has launched its third pan-African Digital Transformation Programme cohort, bringing together participants from across the continent to develop the capabilities needed for Africa’s rapidly evolving digital economy.
Led by SARAO in partnership with InnoGlobal, and supported by the South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, the Embassy of Ireland to South Africa, and government partners in Ghana and Kenya, the initiative addresses one of Africa’s most pressing development challenges: ensuring workforce capability keeps pace with technological and industrial transformation.
As governments and industry invest in digital infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence and innovation ecosystems, the need for digitally enabled, industry-ready talent has become increasingly urgent. DigiSkills Africa was established to help bridge this gap by creating practical pathways between education, employability and economic opportunity.
Since its launch, the programme has received more than 1,400 applications, conducted over 450 interviews and supported 245 participants representing 26 African nationalities. The current cohort alone attracted 820 applications within an eight-week recruitment period, demonstrating significant demand for advanced digital and workforce transformation skills across the continent.
The programme has also demonstrated strong outcomes. Data from previous cohorts indicates that 95% of participants experienced measurable career progression, including employment opportunities, interview invitations, promotions, entrepreneurial activity or progression to further study. Women represent 52% of participants across all intakes, reflecting DigiSkills Africa’s commitment to inclusive workforce development and expanding access to opportunity.
Originally developed from InnoGlobal’s expertise in digital transformation, advanced manufacturing and workforce development, DigiSkills Africa combines online learning, industry engagement, mentoring and intensive in-person workshops. Participants develop practical capabilities in artificial intelligence, data science, automation, cyber security, Industry 4.0 and 5.0 and digital leadership.
The 2026 workshop programme brings together participants, industry leaders, policymakers, researchers and international stakeholders to explore the future of work, connected manufacturing, digital transformation, sustainability and emerging technologies. The programme also provides a platform for collaboration between government, academia and industry, helping align workforce development with national and regional economic priorities.
“At SARAO, we recognise that world-class scientific and technological infrastructure must be matched by investment in people. We are proud to be a partner in DigiSkills Africa, a programme that is developing the digital, technical and leadership capabilities needed for Africa’s future workforce. By bringing together talented participants from across the continent, DigiSkills Africa is helping to build a skilled, resilient and inclusive talent pipeline for Africa’s growing digital economy,” says Dr Bonita de Swardt, Programme Manager: Strategic Partnerships for Human Capital Development at SARAO.
Professor Ian Jones, Founder and President of InnoGlobal, says that “Africa demonstrates how international collaboration can create practical pathways between education, innovation and employment. The strength of demand, diversity of participants and outcomes achieved to date highlight the importance of investing in human capital development as a driver of economic growth and competitiveness.”
As DigiSkills Africa enters its third cohort, programme partners are exploring opportunities to expand the model through collaboration with governments, development agencies, employers, foundations and multilateral organisations seeking scalable approaches to workforce transformation, youth employment and digital inclusion across Africa.
About DigiSkills Africa
DigiSkills Africa is a pan-African workforce development initiative led by InnoGlobal and delivered in collaboration with public and private sector partners. The programme develops future-ready capabilities in digital transformation, artificial intelligence, automation, advanced manufacturing and innovation leadership while supporting employability, workforce resilience and long-term economic competitiveness across Africa.
For further information:
InnoGlobal
Catherine Mulcahy
mulcahyc@innoglobal.com
SARAO
Dr Bonita de Swardt
bonita@sarao.ac.za
