The full scoop on Google’s mission to train 1 million Africans

Edwin Chabuka Avatar

As you may have read from our most recent post, Google is on a mission to train 1 million Africans on fundamental IT skills. Zimbabwe is also included in this road map and after a conversation with Trust Nhokovedzo the coordinator for training in Zimbabwe we were able to get more details on what exactly this is and how it’s going to take place.

Why has this seemingly only started now and yet the program has been running in other countries like Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria etc… for almost a year?

The program actually started early 2016 which is when Google made the announcement of wanting to train 1 million Africans to wise-up in terms of digital skills. However the reason why it had not started yet in Zimbabwe is because there is a road map to it and each country has to wait its turn.

At the moment the program it taking place in Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Mozambique and South Africa. In Zimbabwe the program is scheduled to start this month that is February 2017 to June 2017.

I noticed in some articles the mention of an organisation called Livity. What is their role in all this?

Google is the coordinator and sponsor of the project and it is partnering up with training companies in each country to train individuals as trainers and Livity is one of them. Centum learning limited is the training partner that Google will be working with to train trainers for Zimbabwe. Target for Zimbabwe is to train 20 000 people

I would appreciate any background that would be helpful in having a  clear understanding and potential impact of this program, especially you opinions about it.

There is a potential of half a billion Africans that will be using the internet by 2020 which presents a huge opportunity for businesses as well as individuals to leverage the internet to give their business an online presence.

Objective is to ensure people know how they can use technology to leverage their business. Understand some economic principles that operate in the digital space and relevance. How to capitalize on the increase in internet usage to expand your business’ footprint regionally and globally.

Contents of the training focuses on how the world has gone digital and how it has moved on from traditional flyers to online marketing and digital marketing.

It also incorporates practical skills in the line of the fundamentals of building your business online presence. This includes effective web design, how to market the website as well as Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and how to run adverts on your website.

It also introduces people to mobile friendly websites as a large portion of internet users in Africa access it through mobile devices.

Where will the training take place and how am I eligible to register?

We are planning to target about 31 tertiary institutions in Zimbabwe primarily Universities, Private colleges, Polytechnics and teachers colleges. First rollout should start February 2017.

This program is targeting people between 18 and 35 years of age. Admission is free and after completing the course you receive a certificate of attendance. No qualifications are required for individuals seeking to be trained.

11 comments

  1. stan

    why not 18 to 40 on age.

    1. follow

      definition of a youth 18-35

  2. Neonrad Socien

    I know___, do you know that Eddie? Business wise these guys are trailing behind two things. The first thing is a fresh source of ideas_ somewhat, Africans like me can always do….providing a new business idea and and strategy. The real thing is a former University of Harvard student-graduate can not do that as cheap as Africans do.
    Secondly, and that is their incessant quest, they do want to focus on developing markets of which Africa is not an exception. Training us will increase our passion over or whatever that thing is, we end up being their revenue generating base. Microsoft is just doing the same thing in east Africa.

  3. Meinrad Socien

    I know___, do you know that Eddie? Business wise these guys are trailing behind two things. The first thing is a fresh source of ideas_ somewhat, Africans like me can always do….providing a new business idea and and strategy. The real thing is a former University of Harvard student-graduate can not do that as cheap as Africans do.
    Secondly, and that is their incessant quest, they do want to focus on developing markets of which Africa is not an exception. Training us will increase our passion over or whatever that thing is, we end up being their revenue generating base. Microsoft is just doing the same thing in east Africa.

  4. Fredy Mundondo

    When and how can we apply, very interested.

    1. Trust Nhokovedzo

      For the training program in Zimbabwe, you can register at http://afrodigital.org.

  5. kaysiz

    the link to centum is broken fix it please….

  6. Kudzie

    where do i apply???

    1. Trust Nhokovedzo

      For the training program in Zimbabwe, you can register at http://afrodigital.org.

  7. Trinos Nyoni

    I wish i would be one of the trainers, where do we ego to register pliz

    1. Trust Nhokovedzo

      For the training program in Zimbabwe, you can register at http://afrodigital.org.

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