AERC hosts seminar on digital human capital development in Africa

Nairobi, Kenya - The African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) 25th Senior Policy Seminar (SPS) has kicked off in Nairobi, Kenya, writes Winston Mwale.

The two-day event aims to foster continent-wide unity on information technology and communication avenues to facilitate growth.

Kenya’s Ministry of Information, Communication and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo, the Chief Guest at the SPS opening ceremony, called for the strengthening of capacity-building efforts at the human capital development level to facilitate economic and social growth.

Owalo stressed that failure to bridge the human capital gap through ICT would have negative consequences for Africa’s capacity to engage in the digital economy, thus slowing down the continent's efforts to achieve its full potential.

"Our deliberations in this seminar must acknowledge that we must answer how Africa will navigate and move forward. We must think of how we will fit Africa into the global agenda. We must plan for digital skills for an innovative online economy. Citizens must be able to and be made conscious of digital identity, which will make them relevant to global spaces. We must always think of digital security; it is crucial," he said.

The conference is an accumulation of three-year research funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) to support research into human capital formation in seven African countries.

The goal is to facilitate the dissemination of that research to policymakers and the public while strengthening the capacity of African policy research institutions.

Speaking about the need for regional cohesion for more efficient results, Mr. Dan Peters, Advisor, Global Policy & Advocacy BMGF, encouraged African governments to work together, stating that this is a vital component to accelerating Africa’s growth.

"We need to ensure that everyone lives a healthy and productive life. We have the fastest-growing and most youthful population in the world today, but have not planned our development to align with this," Peters said.

The hybrid conference features local and international economic and public policymakers, as well as eminent researchers presenting research papers on the subject of human capital development.

"The role of the government is vital, as it requires massive and coordinated efforts. The best starting point is through facilitating regional policies in key areas such as expansive government social activities, reforms and innovations, service deliveries, and committing to equity. Our role as AERC is to build overall capacity for African economies. However, appropriate policy-oriented research in the continent is crucial to improving these efforts, which is why we host annual seminars, like today's, where we address real events and Africa's policy events," said AERC Acting Executive Director, Prof. Théophile Azomahou.

Human capital refers to the economic value of a person's abilities and the qualities of their labour that influence productivity. It is critical for inclusive growth and shared prosperity in Africa.

Investment in human beings, through education and training, learning and experience, or health interventions, is vital in shaping future income and productivity for improved social and economic outcomes.

Therefore, developing human capital in Africa requires a massive and coordinated effort to strengthen the quantity, efficiency, and impact of investments in people.

There is a need to facilitate regional and country-owned policy reforms, action plans, and cross-country learning in four key areas: expanding effective government investment in social services, introducing reforms and innovation to improve service delivery, committing to equity and inclusiveness, and addressing fertility and gender issues to harness a demographic dividend.

AERC senior policy seminars are forums specifically designed to bring together senior policymakers from sub-Saharan African countries to exchange experiences and deliberate on topical issues about the sustainable development of their economies.

Participants in these seminars are drawn from the highest levels of government, including the presidency, ministers, governors of central banks, heads of civil services, permanent secretaries, and heads of government agencies and parastatals.