Coding, cybersecurity, data: DRC bets big on tech talent 🇨🇩🚀

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What if the next wave of developers, cybersecurity experts, and data scientists came from Central Africa? The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is betting on it. On September 29, the country signed a landmark agreement in Washington with Cisco and Cybastion to train 250,000 young people in digital skills by 2030.

Training to meet market demand 📚

Sub-Saharan Africa is facing a massive shortage of digital skills. According to the Brookings Institution, nearly 230 million jobs in the region will require tech knowledge by 2030. In the DRC—where most of the population is under 25—this large-scale training program is seen as a direct response to one of the country’s biggest challenges.

The curriculum will cover cybersecurity, data science, programming, operating systems, technical English, digital transformation, and entrepreneurship. The idea is simple: give young people practical, job-ready skills that can be applied immediately in the workforce.

Who are the partners? ❓🤝

Cisco, founded in the 1980s, is a global leader in networking, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure, working with governments and corporations to modernize communications and security systems.

Cybastion, a US-based company specializing in cybersecurity and digital solutions tailored for African markets, already works with several countries on the continent to secure their data and roll out technology projects. By teaming up with these two players, the Congolese government hopes to tap into global expertise while building up local talent.

Beyond training: creating pathways to jobs 💼

This program isn’t just about handing out certificates. Cisco and Cybastion have committed to helping graduates find jobs through their networks of local and international companies—building direct bridges between training and employment.

According to Grâce Kutino, Minister of Youth and Civic Engagement, the initiative is also about reducing dependency on foreign experts. The government wants to create a homegrown tech elite capable of driving digital transformation while innovating from a Congolese perspective.

A bet on the Congolese economy 📈

The initiative is part of the national digital strategy “Horizon 2025,” which aims to turn digital technology into a driver of growth and good governance. The GSMA projects that the digital sector could generate more than $4 billion in the DRC by 2029, with opportunities in industries ranging from manufacturing and agriculture to services.

If successful, the program could help employers rely less on foreign talent and more on local expertise, while giving Congolese youth a central role in shaping the country’s economic future.

Challenges ahead ⚠️

The success of this project will depend on several factors:

• making sure training content is relevant to local realities,
• ensuring digital infrastructure is accessible across all provinces,
• providing follow-up support for graduates to avoid unemployment,
• and securing additional funding to sustain the program beyond its initial five-year horizon.

Still, with this partnership, the DRC is taking an ambitious step forward—turning its demographic potential into a digital force that could matter on the African and global stage.

👉🏾 Do you think initiatives like this can really change the digital future of Africa’s youth? Let us know in the comments 😊