Digital literacy key to job opportunities

Digital platforms are vital to combat youth unemployment in South Africa, addressing systemic barriers and fostering economic growth

- Mills Soko

South Africa's presidency of the G20 has given this country an unprecedented opportunity to not only help shape future policy locally but to bring Africa's voice to the forefront of global decision-making.

And when one considers the building blocks of an equal and sustainable future — two of the three overarching themes of the 2025 G20 — the area of digital transformation needs special attention. No other phenomenon in recent times has had such a profound impact on both individual lives and the economic competitiveness of businesses and countries as the digital revolution.

As part of the Business 20, the official G20 dialogue forum for the global business community, Wits Business School recently hosted a public advocacy dialogue to explore how increased digital literacy and access to digital platforms can turn the tide on youth unemployment.

A message that comes through clearly among researchers and stakeholders in digital transformation is that the digital divide should not be seen in isolation, but rather as just one aspect of a system of other socioeconomic barriers to employment facing young, marginalised people.

Kuben Nair, chief technology officer at Harambee Youth Employment, a not-for-profit organisation that works with multiple stakeholders to find solutions to youth unemployment, cited the example of a young South African woman with a matric but no further qualifications or work experience.