The ICDL Africa Recognition Award given to the Republic of Rwanda recognizes the country’s exceptional progress in digital literacy and inclusion. Rwanda has made significant strides toward becoming a digital hub in Africa, with initiatives such as the “Smart Rwanda Master Plan” emphasizing ICT in education, governance, and economic development. This award acknowledges Rwanda’s role in fostering a knowledge-based economy through policies that empower citizens with essential digital skills.  
Most notably, we celebrate Rwanda’s efforts of certifying public employees in digital literacy and its adoption of the ICDL Programme as a mandatory certification making it a prerequisite certification for graduands as part of their fulfilment of Bachelors’ degree programs.  
Rwanda’s proactive approach to digital literacy and its investment in ICT infrastructure have laid the foundation for a vibrant digital economy. By integrating ICT in education, fostering innovation, and ensuring internet accessibility, Rwanda is positioning itself as a leader in Africa’s digital transformation. With continued efforts, the country is set to become a regional ICT hub and a key player in the global digital economy. 

Danish Refugee Council has been operating in Dadaab since 2011 to assist refugees acquire self-reliance and their rights protected. In 2022, DRC partnered with ICDL to provide Digital Skills in Dadaab Refugee Camp after acquiring funding from UNHCR for implementing Livelihoods areas of digital skills development. 
Since the inception of our collaboration with DRC, there have been over 1000 youths from both refugee and host communities sponsored by UNHCR undertake a comprehensive digital skills course under the ICDL curriculum. The impact has been transformative, opening new avenues for education, communication and employment. 
With ICDL training, some refugees have managed to enrol in online courses like Amazon Web Services Cloud practitioner training and distance learning programs; this way they have managed to further their education despite the movement barriers from the camp setting. ICDL training has provided an opportunity for refugee youths enabling them to acquire essential digital skills. This has been a great component when integrating the youths into new online communities, helping them access online education and become online freelancers. 
After gaining digital skills through the ICDL curriculum, the refugee youths are enrolled in online work training through a partnership with the AjiraDigital Program. Armed with the new skills, the refugee youths then engage in online freelance work such as Translation (Somali to English and Vice versa), transcription, data entry, and virtual assistance. These opportunities have provided financial independence and enhanced self-reliance among the refugee community. 
ICDL Africa Best Project Award 2024 for education, emphasizes the impact of digital skills on marginalized communities. Through this initiative, refugees and displaced people are provided with essential digital literacy tools, which are crucial for their education, integration, and access to the modern workforce. This recognition showcases how digital skills empower vulnerable populations, promoting inclusion and self-reliance.  

Nandi County’s recognition with the Best Practice Award in Workforce underscores the role of local governments in fostering digital literacy within their workforce. By prioritizing digital skills training for county employees, Nandi County serves as a model for integrating ICT in governance. This enhances public service delivery, efficiency, and transparency, contributing to the broader goal of e-governance in Kenya.  
Nandi County signed an MoU with ICDL Africa this year and has already embarked on a journey to equip the workforce with ICDL certification. Beyond the county workforce, the County is extending the provision of digital skills to the population who are the consumers of the county services. This is to ensure the Nandi County public will be able to use technology to access the various government services. A digitally equipped population makes better use of the digital services in a secure way. To this end, the county has rolled out a project to train over 600 of her population on digital skills. This is then to be extended to the vocational training centres that are under the great county of Nandi.  
This recognition is to recognise the great vision the County has for the workforce and the public towards the full realisation of a fully functional e-government. So join us in welcoming the Governor of Nandi County to receive the Best Practice Award for the WORKFORCE for all the contributions the county made in ensuring its population is equipped with digital skills. 

The University of Zimbabwe’s award reflects its role in equipping higher education students with digital competencies, vital for research, innovation, and the modern workplace. The University of Zimbabwe, the oldest and largest institution of higher learning in Zimbabwe, is being recognized with the ICDL Africa Best Practice Award 2024 in Education for its exemplary contributions to digital literacy in education. Established in 1952, the University of Zimbabwe has consistently been a beacon of academic excellence in the region, leading in research, teaching, and innovation. 
In recent years, the University of Zimbabwe has embraced the global digital transformation by integrating ICDL into its educational framework. The university partnered with ICDL to enhance digital literacy across its academic programs, ensuring that both students and staff acquire essential digital skills. This initiative is aligned with the university’s commitment to producing graduates equipped with the competencies required to thrive in the modern digital economy. 
By incorporating ICDL certification, the University of Zimbabwe has strengthened its curriculum with internationally recognized standards in digital literacy. This collaboration has helped bridge the digital skills gap and has empowered thousands of students with the knowledge needed to excel in today’s technology-driven world. The institution’s strategic partnership with ICDL is a key component of its broader goal to create an inclusive and future-ready learning environment, solidifying its position as a leader in educational innovation in Zimbabwe and beyond 
The University of Zimbabwe has become an ICT-driven institution with graduates who are highly proficient in the use of ICT in their different disciplines. The technology and skills transfer enabled by the adoption of the ICDL program for all first-year students and all staff members has strengthened the provision of equitable and quality education that leaves no one behind. Importantly, the University of Zimbabwe is a people-focused institution, and it has great pride in its staff, students, alumni, and the communities it serves. 
The University has gained international reputation for its commitment to high-quality learning, teaching, and training, for its applied research as well as for its engagement with industry, business, and regional communities. The University boasts of a well-established tradition and enjoys an exceptional international and internal reputation as it is among the top universities in Africa. Its leadership in research and university education is evidenced by the numerous accolades presented annually to its scholars, researchers, and students at the local, regional, and international levels. 
The University of Zimbabwe has once again led the pack by being the first university in Zimbabwe to replace its mandatory Information and Digital Skills program for first-year students with the ICDL program. The first cohort of students were 5,000 students including 22 visually impaired students who successfully certified in ICDL modules showing that ICDL is indeed the Digital Skills standard for all. 

NIBS stands out for integrating digital literacy into vocational training, empowering students with both technical and digital skills to enhance their employability. Since its inception in March 1999, the Nairobi Institute of Business Studies (NIBS) has grown from a small institution of 25 students to a thriving college that meets the dynamic needs of the job market. By 2004, enrollment surged to 600, leading to the addition of programs in Hospitality, Tourism, and ICT, and a move to Cooperative House Building. With growing demand, NIBS relocated to Ronald Ngala Building in 2009 and introduced a Journalism program. The Thika Road Campus opened in 2010, aligning with a rebrand to NIBS College as enrollment reached 2,500. NIBS further expanded by opening the Rongai Campus in 2012 and later became NIBS Technical College in 2016, adding technical courses like Engineering and Cosmetology, alongside an e-learning center. 
In response to the growing need for digital skills, especially post-COVID, NIBS launched a program to integrate the International Computer Driving License (ICDL) certification into seven key programs, including Hospitality Management, Journalism, and Fashion Design. This strategic move equips students with vital computer skills, enhancing their job market readiness. 
The ICDL initiative has been highly successful, with over 700 students completing the program in 2023 and 800+ currently enrolled. This reflects the college’s commitment to nurturing digitally proficient graduates. Additionally, NIBS offers ICDL modules for high school leavers, with 210 candidates completing the program in 2024, laying a solid foundation for their future careers. 
As NIBS continues to integrate digital literacy across its programs, we remain dedicated to equipping students with the skills essential for today’s digital workforce. Our commitment as a premier institution in Kenya is to prepare students for a technology-driven world, ensuring they are ready to thrive in evolving industries. With our recent ISO 9001:2015 Certification, we reaffirm our dedication to excellence and continuous improvement, setting even higher standards for quality in TVET training. This certification not only acknowledges our achievements but also strengthens our resolve to provide exceptional education and empower our students to succeed in the global job market. 

Nu Vision High School’s success highlights how secondary education can incorporate digital skills into the curriculum, preparing students early for the demands of the information age. 
NuVision High School, located in Rwanda, is honored with the ICDL Africa Best Practice Award 2024 in Education for its pioneering role in integrating digital literacy into secondary education. As the first high school in Rwanda to adopt the International Computer Driving License (ICDL) program, NuVision High School has set a national benchmark for digital literacy in education.  
Recognizing the critical importance of digital skills in the 21st century, NuVision High school made ICDL certification a compulsory component of its academic program. This bold move has ensured that all students graduate with an internationally recognized digital certification, providing them with a strong foundation for further studies and future careers. 
Since the adoption of ICDL, NuVision High School has seen a significant transformation in the way students and teachers engage with technology. By integrating the ICDL curriculum, the school has created a culture of digital competence and innovation, making it a leader in digital education in Rwanda. Through its partnership with ICDL Africa, NuVision has empowered hundreds of young learners with the critical digital skills needed to excel in an increasingly digital world. 
NuVision High School’s commitment to digital literacy has not only transformed the educational experience for its students but has also set a powerful example for other institutions in the region, furthering Rwanda’s national agenda of creating a digitally literate society. 

Dr. Aminah Zawedde’s recognition reflects her leadership in digital transformation within the public sector. As a prominent figure in ICT policy, she has played a crucial role in promoting digital literacy, innovation, and technology-driven governance. Her work significantly impacts national and regional strategies for digital inclusivity and the advancement of digital skills in Africa. 
Dr. Aminah Zawedde is honored with the prestigious ICDL Africa Recognition Award 2024 for her outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing digital transformation in Uganda. As the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Zawedde has been a driving force behind Uganda’s ambitious digital agenda, ensuring that digital literacy, inclusion, and innovation are at the forefront of the country’s development priorities. 
One of her most significant contributions has been her leadership in the development and implementation of Uganda’s Digital Transformation Roadmap, a comprehensive national strategy aimed at harnessing the power of technology to foster economic growth, improve public service delivery, and promote digital inclusivity across all sectors of society. Under her guidance, the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance has worked to create an enabling environment for digital innovation, pushing forward initiatives that empower individuals and institutions to thrive in a digital-first world. 
Dr. Zawedde’s efforts have also been instrumental in expanding access to digital skills across Uganda. Recognizing the critical role that digital literacy plays in national development, she has championed partnerships with global organizations such as ICDL to integrate internationally recognized digital skills certification into Uganda’s educational and public sectors. Through her vision, Uganda has seen a significant rise in digital competency, ensuring that citizens are equipped with the tools needed to participate in the global digital economy. 
Her dedication to bridging the digital divide has extended to underserved communities, with initiatives targeting rural areas, women, and youth. Dr. Zawedde has been a passionate advocate for using technology to create opportunities, reduce inequality, and enhance social inclusion, aligning her work with Uganda’s broader vision of becoming a digitally empowered society. 
The ICDL Africa Recognition Award 2024 celebrates Dr. Aminah Zawedde’s remarkable contributions to Uganda’s digital transformation. Her visionary leadership, policy initiatives, and commitment to fostering a culture of digital literacy have positioned Uganda as a regional leader in digital innovation, laying the foundation for sustained economic growth and social progress in the digital age. 
Through her continued efforts, Dr. Zawedde is not only shaping the future of Uganda but also setting a powerful example of how digitalization can be harnessed to improve lives, create opportunities, and drive national development.