What will it take to enhance the skills needed to prepare Africa’s youth for the digital economy and the future of work?

Application Deadline: November 30, 2018

World Bank Africa #Blog4Dev and Essay Competition: What will it take to enhance the skills needed to prepare Africa’s youth for the digital economy and the future of work?

Technological progress is constantly changing how we work, from automation to artificial intelligence. With these advancements, firms adopt of new ways of production, helping markets to expand, and societies to evolve.

While advances in technology can eliminate the need for some jobs, the World Development Report 2019 notes that it also paves the way for the creation of new jobs which will require a mix of skills – such as complex problem solving, teamwork and adaptability – to meet the increasing demand in the labor market. Skill building is particularly important in Sub-Saharan Africa, home to the world’s youngest population; every year for the next decade, as many as 11 million young people are expected to enter the labor market.

So, we want to hear from you! In 500 words or less, tell us how you would solve this development challenge in your country: What will it take to enhance the skills needed to prepare Africa’s youth for the digital economy and the future of work?

In 2014, the World Bank Kenya office launched the Blog4Dev competition, an annual writing contest that invites young people to weigh in on a topic critical to the country’s economic development. The competition is a way to engage Africa’s young people and provide a platform to share their views—and solutions—about development topics that are important to them.

Since then, Blog4Dev has grown to include the voices of hundreds of young people from countries throughout the region who have submitted blogs on topics such as how to end gender-based violence to debating the role of the private sector in public service delivery. The competition tests originality, creativity and innovation.

This year, for the first time, the World Bank Africa Region is hosting a regional blog competition, inviting young people from 48 countries to share their ideas for how they, and other young people, can prepare themselves for the digital economy and a technology-driven workplace.

Prizes:

• Winning authors are eligible for several prizes, including a chance to intern at a World Bank Africa country office, or an opportunity to have your blog published on the World Bank Africa blog Nasikiliza.

Requirements

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the World Bank Africa Regional Blog4Dev Essay Competition 2018