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Zulaiha Dobia Abdullah, founder of Divaloper, has underscored the urgent need to bridge Africa’s digital divide by equipping young people, particularly women, with essential technological skills.
Speaking as a panellist on ‘Leveraging Digital Infrastructure, Innovation, and Technology to Connect Africa’ during Day Two of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues 2025 at the Accra International Conference on Friday, January 31, Abdullah stressed that digital inclusion is critical for the continent’s development.
She warned that limited access to digital tools and training continues to restrict opportunities for many Africans.
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“It is time for individuals to qualify themselves, to work, and to realise that they can effectively use digital tools,” Abdullah stated. “Many people still struggle with basic digital skills, and we need to address this gap by focusing on education and accessibility.”
Sharing her personal experiences, Abdullah recalled how moving from a privileged educational background to a more diverse environment exposed her to the stark reality of digital illiteracy.
“In a classroom setting, when the teacher instructed students to ‘turn on your computers,’ many simply stared, unsure of what to do. That experience made me realise how privilege can sometimes shield us from understanding the real challenges others face in accessing and using technology,” she explained.
Abdullah called for greater efforts from governments, private entities, and educational institutions to ensure that digital skills training becomes more accessible, particularly for young women, to foster inclusive growth and economic empowerment across the continent.
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