The Democratic Republic of Congo has completed the first phase of its ambitious digital skills program in Kinshasa, marking the start of a nationwide effort to train 250,000 young people in technology, the government announced on Monday, February 16.
The Ministry of Youth and Civic Education outlined that 500 young participants began a hybrid training course on February 13, 2026. After a final assessment, the top 200 performers will be selected and organized into three tiers — Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced — to become trainers who will pass on their digital knowledge across the country.
The initiative is part of a five-year partnership signed in September 2025 with U.S. tech companies Cisco and Cybastion. Participants will receive training in networking, cybersecurity, data science, programming, operating systems, technical English, digital transformation, and entrepreneurship. The program also includes opportunities to connect graduates with local partners, fostering job creation and business development.
Officials highlighted digital technology as a key driver of economic growth and social development in the DRC, which faces significant youth unemployment. According to a 2022 Ministry of Planning study, youth aged 15–29 make up more than 50% of the working-age population, with a long-term unemployment rate of 61.8%. The study estimates the country will need to create 9.6 million jobs by 2030 and nearly 35 million by 2050 to stabilize employment.
By scaling the program nationwide, the government aims to empower young Congolese with the skills needed to participate in the digital economy and reduce the youth employment gap.
