Togo: Free digital training to boost student employability
Faced with the challenge of youth underemployment and the rapid evolution of digital technologies, Togo has launched a large-scale technological training program for students in public universities. The objective is clear: to improve the employability of young people by equipping them with skills in programming and artificial intelligence.
Launched in June 2025 in partnership with the American start-up Kira Learning, this program aims to train 15,000 students this year, with an annual target of 50,000 beneficiaries. It is open to all students, including those from non-scientific fields, and provides them with practical skills in Python programming, AI, and English for digital applications.
The training is 100% free, online, and interactive. It combines educational videos, practical exercises, and support from an AI-powered virtual tutor that offers personalized guidance. This flexibility allows students to learn at their own pace while balancing their studies with skill development.
According to the Ministry of Digital Economy and Digital Transformation, after just three months of training, a student from a humanities or literature background could already apply for positions such as support technician, junior webmaster, digital assistant, content moderator, or data annotator for AI projects.
This initiative comes at a time when the demand for digital skills is exploding across the region. The International Finance Corporation estimates that by 2030, 230 million jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa will require digital skills. In Togo, where 60% of the population is under 25, the need to align training with market realities is urgent.
However, the program does have certain limitations. For now, it only targets students in public universities, excluding those in private institutions. Additionally, despite being free, access still depends on the availability of digital equipment and internet connectivity — obstacles that many young people continue to face.
Despite these challenges, this initiative represents a significant step forward toward preparing Togo’s youth for the jobs of the future.
