Congo bets on tech to tackle youth unemployment 💻

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In Congo, youth unemployment is hovering around 42%. To change the narrative, the government is turning to tech with the launch of edu.caria.cg, an online platform designed to boost young people’s skills in information and communication technologies.

Building a generation of digital talent 🧠

Unveiled on May 14, 2025, to the Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and the Digital Economy, edu.caria.cg was developed by the African Center for Research in Artificial Intelligence. The platform’s mission: to equip young Congolese with the tools they need to thrive in the job market.

Minister Léon Juste Ibombo praised the initiative but stressed the importance of bringing in the Ministry of Scientific Research to further refine the platform’s content before its full release.

“I’m pleased with what I’ve seen so far, but we’re going to keep working with my colleague in Scientific Research so he can contribute as well. Our goal is to provide high-quality training that turns young people into top developers or business leaders,” the Minister said.

The platform is expected to offer 3,000 online courses, covering everything from cybersecurity and artificial intelligence to innovation and entrepreneurship.

A targeted response to a generational challenge 👶🏿

Congo is a young nation — nearly half of its population is under 18. Faced with this demographic pressure, the government is urgently seeking sustainable solutions to prepare the youth for the jobs of tomorrow.

Digital skills are already in high demand across the continent. In sub-Saharan Africa, an estimated 230 million jobs will require digital expertise by 2030. Congo wants to ensure its youth can seize these emerging opportunities.

To that end, the country is in talks to join the Give1Project, a pan-African initiative supported by the UNDP, Microsoft, and the French government. The program aims to train 25,000 young Africans in digital skills. Congo has also signed a partnership with Morocco’s Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, with other global partners expected to come on board. The goal is simple: make sure training leads to real jobs.

Laying the groundwork for a digital future 🧩

The initiative is part of Vision Congo Digital 2025, the country’s national strategy for digital transformation. It also aligns with a broader tech acceleration program funded with $100 million from the World Bank.

One of the key priorities? Strengthening the population’s digital capabilities to turn technology into a true engine of economic and social development.

The platform is still in its pre-launch phase. Several hurdles remain: ensuring nationwide access for young users, tailoring course content to local realities, and, above all, guaranteeing that training results in tangible job prospects.

What do you think ?
Can digital education really help solve youth unemployment in Africa? Let us know in the comments! 😁