Digital transformation projects focused on younger end users have been highlighted this week in West Africa where operator MTN Liberia has signalled its support for digital literacy and the government of Guinea has targeted internet provision for schools.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Orange Liberia have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to accelerate digital transformation and create new opportunities for Liberia’s youth, particularly young women and rural communities.
The UNDP-Orange Liberia partnership will focus on a number of areas. They include expanding digital literacy and skills training, especially for young women and vulnerable communities, along with supporting entrepreneurship and innovation hubs to help startups grow and access new markets.
The partnership also looks at promoting digital inclusion beyond the capital Monrovia, ensuring rural communities are not left behind. It also aims to strengthen Liberia’s position in the global digital economy, fostering new livelihoods and opportunities.
This initiative aligns with Liberia’s national development priorities and contributes to several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including those focused on quality education, decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation, and infrastructure and partnerships.
Also this week, the Guinean government officially launched an initiative on to connect 2,200 public primary schools to the internet by the end of 2026.
The project is part of the global GIGA initiative, led by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and UNICEF.
Officials say the project will eventually allow every teacher, student and stakeholder in education to access online learning resources. Various commentators cite potential benefits such as addressing the teacher shortage, integrating textbooks, lessons, homework, and grades for all students nationwide, and making it possible to connect Guinean students with peers across the sub-region, Africa and beyond. It could also enhance transparency, in particular allowing parents to access their children’s classrooms virtually and view grades, homework and marked assignments.
Of course, the first imperative is actually to bring the service to schools, and this is already happening. The Ecofin news agency reports that, so far, about 600 schools nationwide have already received the equipment needed for reliable connectivity. The government aims to connect 1,000 schools by the end of 2025, a move expected to benefit more than one million children.
