EU-AU hackathon to spur Agenda 2063

The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked a surge in STEM-centered initiatives across the African continent, leading experts to believe that the digital transformation of Africa by 2063 may be accelerated. Smart Africa and Garage48 have come together to organize the EU Africa Online Academy, an initiative aimed at mobilizing EU and African tech communities to collaborate on solutions to challenges amplified by the pandemic. The main objective of the academy is to reduce socio-economic tensions that have arisen as a result of COVID-19 and foster cross-continent collaboration to develop innovative solutions. Yusuf Mutamba, the Africa Project Coordinator at Garage48, shed light on the progress and potential of this initiative in a recent interview on CNBC Africa. The participation rate has been promising since the launch of the hackathon on the 20th, with strong interest from the African continent and engagement from various organization hubs as community partners. Mutamba expressed optimism about achieving the targeted numbers and objectives as the event progresses. The EU Africa Online Academy aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union Agenda 2063, focusing on key areas such as education, vulnerable populations, governance, cybersecurity, job security, entrepreneurship, and health and wellness. Participants stand to gain a platform to develop creative solutions to pandemic-related challenges, establish lasting partnerships with stakeholders, and network with key actors in both the EU and African tech ecosystems. One critical challenge highlighted by Mutamba is the impact of the pandemic on education, particularly in the STEM field where lab-based experiments are essential. The shift to remote learning has disrupted traditional teaching methods, prompting the need for innovative solutions to make remote STEM education effective and engaging. Information technology (IT) emerges as a key enabler in bridging this gap and addressing other challenges on the continent. Job security, especially for the youth, remains a significant concern in Africa, with a growing population facing a shortage of employment opportunities. Leveraging digital technologies to meet human capital needs and create new job opportunities is essential. Mutamba emphasized the importance of utilizing digital platforms to drive innovation and generate employment prospects for Africa's youth. Despite the strides made in digital transformation, Africa still faces obstacles in fully unlocking the potential of IT. By focusing on addressing job security and harnessing digital solutions, the continent can pave the way for sustainable growth and development, in line with the objectives of Agenda 2063.