ICDL in Africa

The significance of ICDL in Africa is pivotal, acting as a catalyst for digital literacy, economic development, and social inclusion. Backed by endorsements from international organisations, corporations, and governments, ICDL prepares individuals for the challenges and opportunities of the digital era. Through strategic partnerships and unwavering advocacy, ICDL actively contributes to the construction of a digitally empowered Africa.

ICDL’s significance in Africa is exemplified by its adoption by several governments and institutions across the region.

• In Rwanda, ICDL Africa’s partnership with the Ministry of Youth and ICT has led to significant strides in digital literacy initiatives, including supporting the development of a National Digital Literacy Policy and certification of 85,000 government employees.
• In Kenya, ICDL has gained national recognition and legal status as the entry-level computer certification, endorsed by the Ministry of Information, Communications, and Technology. Additionally, the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) has accredited ICDL Africa as a “Foreign Examination Body” and approved the ICDL programme as a certificate-level qualification within the TVET system, ensuring its integration across government institutions, private universities, colleges, and schools.
• In Cote d’Ivoire, the National Agency for Universal Telecommunications (ANSUT) is spearheading an ambitious initiative to annually certify 50,000 individuals through ICDL including public administrations, private sectors, and schools.
• In Benin, ABSU-CEP partners with ICDL to certify 30,000 Beninese civil servants, contributing to the memorandum of understanding signed with ICDL Africa by the Ministry of Digital and Digitalisation.
• In Nigeria, TETFUND has adopted ICDL as the certification standard for all public tertiary institutions, aligning with their mission of transformative intervention and effective utilization of education tax funding.
• In Guinea, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research collaborates with ICDL to inaugurate the digital access programme, aiming to certify 220 teachers in its inaugural year who will subsequently train students in Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs).
• In Tanzania, the ICT Commission partners with ICDL to provide the Tanzanian workforce with an internationally recognized certification in digital skills, aligning with the government’s vision to enhance human capital development and prepare for a transition to a knowledge-based society.
• In Uganda, the Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) collaborates with ICDL to enhance the digital skills of members of the Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises, aligning with UCC’s mandate to regulate and develop the communications sector.

These are just some of the examples which underscore the pivotal role of ICDL in empowering individuals, driving economic growth, and fostering regional collaboration in Africa. By providing a standardised framework for assessing and certifying digital skills, ICDL enables individuals to thrive in the digital age and contributes to the overall socio-economic development of the region. See all ICDL References