A critical analysis of Rwanda’s Digital skills and entrepreneurship training toward solving youth unemployment
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47963/jobed.v12i.1526Keywords:
Digital Skills, Youth Unemployment, Rwanda, Policymaking, Innovation, Multi-Stakeholder, CollaborationAbstract
This study critically examines the role of digital skills and entrepreneurship training in addressing the persistent issue of youth unemployment in Rwanda. The paper primarily anchors on the Human Capital Theory and Entrepreneurship Theory to provide a solid theoretical framework, tying together education, skill development, and entrepreneurial activity as vital drivers of productivity, job creation, and economic development. By employing a qualitative methods approach that utilises qualitative stakeholder interviews, this research evaluates the effectiveness of the various policies and programs aimed at fostering digital and entrepreneurship skills to young people in Rwanda, to promote employment. The research unveils that these programs hold significant potential in equipping the Rwandan youth with relevant skills and nurturing an innovative and entrepreneurial culture. However, it also highlights key areas requiring attention: the lack of robust follow-up mechanisms and the need for continued support post-training. It advocates for policymakers and program implementers to prioritize these aspects to maximize their initiatives' impact. The implications of this study extend beyond Rwanda's borders as countries worldwide grapple with similar challenges. Therefore, the insights gleaned from Rwanda's approach could guide other nations in leveraging digital skills and entrepreneurship training to combat youth unemployment in the digital age. It concludes by recommending future research directions, including maintaining program relevance in the ever-evolving digital landscape and instituting more effective support mechanisms for venture sustainability.
Downloads
References
Abbas, A. B., & Natta, W. (2022). How digital skills can help tackle youth unemployment. Intrnational Trade Center. https://intracen.org/news-and-events/news/how-digital-skills-can-help-tackle-youth-unemployment
Adekoya, A. F. (2020). Youth Unemployment and Violent Crime: Evidence From Developing Countries In Africa. Journal of Academic Research in Economics (JARE), 12(3), 408–419.
African Union Commission & OECD. (2021). Africa’s Development Dynamics 2020: Digital Transformation for Quality Jobs. OECD. https://doi.org/10.1787/0a5c9314-en
Ahmed, F., Fattani, M. T., Ali, S. R., & Enam, R. N. (2022). Strengthening the Bridge Between Academic and the Industry Through the Academia-Industry Collaboration Plan Design Model. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.875940
Aiken, M. (2022). Carnegie Mellon’s African campus works to foster digital transformation. TribLIVE.Com. https://triblive.com/news/education-classroom/carnegie-mellons-african-campus-works-to-foster-digital-transformation/
Aleksynska, M., Kriechel, B., Kofol, C., Düll, N., Vetter, T., Strietska-Ilina, O., & Chun, H.-K. (2021). Changing demand for skills in digital economies and societies Literature review and case studies from low- and middle-income countries. International Labour Organization. https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_emp/---ifp_skills/documents/publication/wcms_831372.pdf
Becker, G. S. (1964a). Human Capital: A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis, with Special Reference to Education (SSRN Scholarly Paper 1496221). https://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=1496221
Becker, G. S. (1964b). Human Capital: A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis with Special Reference to Education, First Edition. NBER. https://www.nber.org/books-and-chapters/human-capital-theoretical-and-empirical-analysis-special-reference-education-first-edition
Bessen, J. (2015). Learning by Doing: The Real Connection between Innovation, Wages, and Wealth (p. 295). https://doi.org/10.12987/9780300213645
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3, 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Carretero, S., Vuorikari, R., & Punie, Y. (2017). DigComp 2.1: The Digital Competence Framework for Citizens with eight proficiency levels and examples of use. JRC Research Reports, Article JRC106281. https://ideas.repec.org//p/ipt/iptwpa/jrc106281.html
Charo, R., & Pryce, R. (2022). Banking on youth: Rwanda’s path to a 21st century economy. https://blogs.worldbank.org/nasikiliza/banking-youth-rwandas-path-21st-century-economy
Chigunta, F. (2017). Entrepreneurship as a possible solution to youth unemployment in Africa. Laboring and Learning, 10(2), 433–451.
Choi, E., & Park, N. (2021). The Effect of the Future IT Convergence Curriculum on Teaching Efficacy of Prospective Teachers -Journal of The Korean Association of Information Education | Korea Science. Journal of The Korean Association of Information Education, 25(1). https://koreascience.kr/article/JAKO202115463034736.page
Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (3rd ed). Sage Publications.
Denano, T., Sintayehu, S., Netsanet, A., & Eyasu, A. (2023). Youth unemployment and its main determinants in Ethiopia. EQA-International Journal of Environmental Quality, 55, 23–32.
Dinika, A.-A. (2023). Preparing African youths for the future of work: The case of Rwanda. Digital Policy Studies, 1, 47–64. https://doi.org/10.36615/dps.v1i2.2276
Erismann, S., Pesantes, M. A., Beran, D., Leuenberger, A., Farnham, A., Berger Gonzalez de White, M., Labhardt, N. D., Tediosi, F., Akweongo, P., Kuwawenaruwa, A., Zinsstag, J., Brugger, F., Somerville, C., Wyss, K., & Prytherch, H. (2021). How to bring research evidence into policy? Synthesizing strategies of five research projects in low-and middle-income countries. Health Research Policy and Systems, 19(1), 29. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-020-00646-1
Gacinya, J. (2019). Human Trafficking Prevalence in Rwanda: The Role Played by Unemployment. American Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 4(1), 163–177. https://doi.org/10.20448/801.41.163.177
Gunashekar, S., Feijao, C., Flanagan, I., & Stolk, C. van. (2021). The global digital skills gap: Current trends and future directions. RAND Corporation. https://doi.org/10.7249/RRA1533-1
ILO. (2022). Global employment trends for youth 2022: Investing in transforming futures for young people. ILO. https://doi.org/10.54394/QSMU1809
Kaarakainen, M.-T., & Saikkonen, L. (2021). Multilevel analysis of the educational use of technology: Quantity and versatility of digital technology usage in Finnish basic education schools. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 37(4), 953–965. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12534
Kluve, J. (2016). A review of the effectiveness of Active Labour Market Programmes with a focus on Latin America and the Caribbean. International Labour Office. https://www.peiglobal.org/sites/pei/themes/pei/kc_files/Kluve%202016.pdf
Kluve, J., Puerto, S., Robalino, D., Romero, J. M., Rother, F., Stöterau, J., Weidenkaff, F., & Witte, M. (2019). Do youth employment programs improve labor market outcomes? A quantitative review. World Development, 114, 237–253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2018.10.004
Kumpulainen, K., & Sefton-Green, J. (2014). What is connected learning and how to research it?
Kupiainen, R. (2022). Making the “digital leap” in Finnish schools. Nordisk Tidsskrift for Pedagogikk Og Kritikk, 8. https://doi.org/10.23865/ntpk.v8.4068
Lackéus, M. (2015). Entrepreneurship in Education. What, why, when, How. OECD. https://www.oecd.org/cfe/leed/BGP_Entrepreneurship-in-Education.pdf
Larter, W. (2022). University and industry collaboration crucial for bridging skills gap. https://www.aigroup.com.au/news/blogs/2022/university-and-industry-collaboration-crucial-for-bridging-skills-gap/
Malinga, S. (2022). Digital skills pipeline is answer to youth unemployment. ITWeb. https://www.itweb.co.za/content/KBpdgvpmP4W7LEew
Manyuon, D. A. A. (2019). Promote an enabling environment for youth employment and entrepreneurship in the digital economy. World Bank Blogs. https://blogs.worldbank.org/youth-transforming-africa/promote-enabling-environment-youth-employment-and-entrepreneurship-digital-economy
Martin, B. C., McNally, J. J., & Kay, M. J. (2013). Examining the formation of human capital in entrepreneurship: A meta-analysis of entrepreneurship education outcomes. Journal of Business Venturing, 28(2), 211–224.
Mastercard Foundation. (2021). University of Rwanda, Mastercard Foundation launch $55mln partnership to develop the next generation of African leaders. https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/university-of-rwanda-mastercard-foundation-launch-55mln-partnership-to-develop-the-next-generation-of-african-kl1xdrbp
MINICT. (2021). MOU signed to launch Huawei ICT academies in Rwanda as Seeds for the future 2021 program is flagged off. Ministry of ICT. https://www.minict.gov.rw/news-detail/mou-signed-to-launch-huawei-ict-academies-in-rwanda-as-seeds-for-the-future-2021-program-is-flagged-off
Moldoveanu, M., Frey, K., & Moritz, B. (2022). 4 Ways to Bridge the Global Skills Gap. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2022/03/4-ways-to-bridge-the-global-skills-gap
Mugabo, A. (2021). How the DigiCenter fits into Rwanda’s Tech Hub/Incubator Ecosystem. Digital Transformation Center Rwanda. https://digicenter.rw/how-the-digicenter-fits-into-rwandas-tech-hub-incubator-ecosystem/
Nadkarni, S., & Prügl, R. (2021). Digital transformation: A review, synthesis and opportunities for future research. Management Review Quarterly, 71(2), 233–341. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11301-020-00185-7
Ndagijimana, J., Nzasingizimana, T., & Heshmati, A. (2018). An Analysis of the Determinants of Youth Employment in Rwanda. UKH Journal of Social Sciences, 2(2), 1.
Ndubuisi, G., Otioma, C., & Tetteh, G. K. (2021). Digital infrastructure and employment in services: Evidence from Sub-Saharan African countries. Telecommunications Policy. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TELPOL.2021.102153
Newfarmer, R., & Twum, A. (2022). Employment creation potential, labor skills requirements and skill gaps for young people A Rwanda case study. Brookings Institute. https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Rwanda-IWOSS.pdf
Niwemwiza, E. (2021). Assessment of the contribution of National Employment Program on unemployment alleviation in youth and women in Rwanda 2014-2018: A case of Rulindo District. [PhD Thesis]. University of Rwanda.
Nkusi, A. C., Cunningham, J. A., Nyuur, R., & Pattinson, S. (2020). The role of the entrepreneurial university in building an entrepreneurial ecosystem in a post conflict economy: An exploratory study of Rwanda. Thunderbird International Business Review, 62(5), 549–563.
O’Dwyer, M., Filieri, R., & O’Malley, L. (2022). Establishing successful university–industry collaborations: Barriers and enablers deconstructed. The Journal of Technology Transfer. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10961-022-09932-2
OECD. (2021). Education at a Glance 2021: OECD Indicators. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/education/education-at-a-glance-2021_b35a14e5-en
Palinkas, L. A., Horwitz, S. M., Green, C. A., Wisdom, J. P., Duan, N., & Hoagwood, K. (2015). Purposeful sampling for qualitative data collection and analysis in mixed method implementation research. Administration and Policy in Mental Health, 42(5), 533–544. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-013-0528-y
Parker, C., Scott, S., & Geddes, A. (2019). Snowball Sampling. SAGE Publications Ltd. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781526421036831710
Peterman, N. E., & Kennedy, J. (2003). Enterprise Education: Influencing Students’ Perceptions of Entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 28(2), 129–144. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1540-6520.2003.00035.x
Qureshi, Z. (2022). How digital transformation is driving economic change. Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2022/01/18/how-digital-transformation-is-driving-economic-change/
Roy, R. (2018). Remarks on the Launch of Young Africa Works and of Rwanda Initiatives. Mastercard Foundation. https://mastercardfdn.org/remarks-on-the-launch-of-young-africa-works-and-of-rwanda-initiatives/
Schumpeter, J.A.,. (1934). The Theory of Economic Development: An Inquiry Into Profits, Capital, Credit, Interest, and the Business Cycle. Harvard Press.
Spitz-Oener, A., Acemoglu, D., Beblo, M., Bertschek, I., Black, S., Borghans, L., Fitzenberger, B., Hempell, T., Kramarz, F., Levy, F., Mueller, E., Pischke, J.-S., Prantl, S., & Weel, B. (2006). Technical change, job tasks, and rising educational demands: Looking outside the wage structure.
Sun, J. C., & Turner, H. A. (2023). The Complementarity Investment in University-Industry Collaboration. Innovative Higher Education, 48(3), 539–556. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10755-022-09641-6
Taiwo, K., & Aluko, O. A. (2023). Revitalization of the education system to address the growing youth unemployment in Nigeria. In Regional Development and Forgotten Spaces (pp. 33–51). Routledge.
Unwin, T. (2019). The Future Use of Technology in Education and Learning in the Commonwealth. The Round Table, 108, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/00358533.2019.1634891
Verhoef, P. C., Broekhuizen, T., Bart, Y., Bhattacharya, A., Qi Dong, J., Fabian, N., & Haenlein, M. (2021). Digital transformation: A multidisciplinary reflection and research agenda. Journal of Business Research, 122, 889–901. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.09.022
Weiss, Y. (2015). Gary Becker on Human Capital. Journal of Demographic Economics, 81(1), 27–31.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Adio-Adet Tichafara Dinika
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.