MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ralph Mupita, has issued a passionate call to African parents, urging them to ensure their children become digitally skilled and technologically savvy if they are to remain relevant in the rapidly evolving global economy.
Speaking in Accra during the Bright Conversation Series as part of his two-day working visit to Ghana, Mr. Mupita warned that failure to act now could render millions of young Africans unfit for the job market in an age where technology is redefining industries and livelihoods.
Youth dividend at stake
According to Mr. Mupita, Africa stands at a critical juncture with what he described as an “enormous youth dividend.”
The continent is expected to supply a significant majority of the global workforce in the coming decades, but whether this demographic advantage becomes a blessing or a curse will depend on the continent’s ability to skill its youth.
“A dividend can be positive or negative. The negative side is if we fail to prepare our young people with the skills needed to participate in and take advantage of the future. The positive side is when we channel the energy, ingenuity, and global mindset of our youth into digital skills and innovation,” Mupita explained.
Digital skills as foundational as literacy
Mr. Mupita underscored the urgency of building a digitally competent generation, stressing that in today’s world, digital fluency is as essential as the ability to read and write.
“This area of digital skill is, to me, as important as writing. It is a foundational ability to survive in the next 20 years. For those who have children, make sure they remain digitally skilled and savvy. From there comes relevance, and from there comes the ability to create businesses and participate meaningfully in society,” he said.
Beyond jobs: Creating businesses and ecosystems
The MTN boss emphasized that digital proficiency goes beyond improving employability.
It also equips young people with the ability to innovate, create jobs, and build ecosystems that can transform entire communities.77
“You don’t have to wait to be employed by MTN or any other company. With coding, programming, and digital entrepreneurship, our young people can create their own businesses, build digital marketplaces, and earn sustainable incomes. Once you have the skills, opportunities will follow,” he said.
The race against time
Mr. Mupita cautioned against complacency, noting that technology is advancing at breakneck speed and Africa cannot afford to fall behind.
He described digital skills as the foundation upon which the future of Africa’s workforce will be built, warning that those who fail to embrace them risk irrelevance in the global economy.
“It’s not something to delay. Skills development must also have a view on foundational technologies shaping the future, such as Artificial Intelligence, digital finance, and coding. This is where Africa must lean in if we want to remain competitive globally,” he stressed.
MTN’s commitment to digital and financial inclusion
Mr. Mupita expressed gratitude to MTN’s customers in Ghana and across Africa for their loyalty and support, assuring them that the company will continue to invest in digital and financial inclusion initiatives.
“We will always look to stay ahead of the needs of our customers and serve in ways that meet both practical needs and aspirations. Our mission is to empower Africa’s youth and societies with the tools to thrive in the digital economy,” he added.
