• The Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) launched a partnership to expand digital skills training and entrepreneurship support for youth and women in Africa.
• The pilot program will be deployed in Benin, Cameroon, Guinea, Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of Congo over 12 to 24 months.
• The initiative targets high-demand fields such as AI, cybersecurity, data analytics and software development, with pathways to employment and entrepreneurship.

The Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) signed a partnership agreement on Wednesday, June 24, to support digital training and entrepreneurship across several African countries. OIF Secretary-General Louise Mushikiwabo and AfDB President Sidi Ould Tah formalized the agreement following a meeting in which both institutions emphasized the strategic role of youth and women in Africa’s digital transition.

The first phase of the program will be implemented in Benin, Cameroon, Guinea, Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The initiative addresses a shared challenge across Francophone countries, where young populations face high levels of unemployment and underemployment despite growing digital opportunities.

The program will deliver training in high-demand sectors, including web and mobile development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and data analytics. It will also provide participants with structured pathways to employment, self-employment and business creation.

In addition, the initiative will include bootcamps, prototyping workshops and partnerships with incubators and accelerators to support innovation and startup creation.

The two institutions will place particular emphasis on projects led by women and young entrepreneurs. They aim to reduce inequality in access to digital skills and economic opportunities across participating countries.

The initiative builds on the OIF’s previous experience in youth programs. The organization reports that it has already supported nearly 19,000 young people in digital skills, employability and entrepreneurship across the Francophone world through programs such as D-CLIC.

Beyond training activities, the OIF and AfDB will work closely with governments, training institutions and local stakeholders to strengthen national capacities. They aim to ensure local ownership of the program and long-term sustainability.

The pilot phase will run for 12 to 24 months in the five selected countries. Depending on results, the program could later be expanded to other member states of the Francophonie.

For the OIF, the partnership represents a strategic step in mobilizing funding and partnerships to scale its impact. Through collaboration with the AfDB, the organization aims to accelerate projects focused on employment, entrepreneurship and digital transformation for Francophone youth.

This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya

Adapted in English by Ange J. A de Berry Quenum