Youth, ICT and Enterprise Development in Africa

Simdol Technologies www.simdols.com 0
YOUTH, ICT
AND ENTERPRISE
DEVELOPMENT
IN AFRICA
Simeon Ayoade Adedokun

YOUTH, ICT AND ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
Simeon A. Adedokun, August 2019
Introduction
Technology – specifically ICT – has played a central role in the 21st century’s revolution,
especially in young people’s rise to prominence on a global scale. It has rev olutionized
the way we learn, play, work and transact businesses. ICT has helped young people to
mobilize, collaborate and given them a voice where there was none before. It has
brought them together in response to social concerns and has connected them across
vast geo-political barriers, and this is a great opportunity that should be annexed for
enterprise development.
ICT, being a complimentary, facilitating and versatile technology has a potential for
improved operational effectiveness and efficiency in all sectors; it also has the potential
for enterprise development; and being an evolving technology, the future depends on
ICT. Knowing this, then one must try to grasp what impact ICT will have on sustainable
development (SD) and how we may formulate sustainability in ICT solutions. But first of
all, we must understand what ICT is.
What is ICT?
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) refer to sets of electronic tools and
activities that facilitate the capturing, storage, processing, transmission, and display of
information. ICT encompasses computer hardware and software, electronic information
repositories such as the World Wide Web and those found on CD-ROMs, digital broadcast
and telecommunications technologies. ICT tools, generally, are designed to perform (or

Youth, ICT and Enterprise Development in Africa Simeon A. Adedokun,August 2019
Simdol Technologies www.simdols.com
aid the performance of) human-oriented tasks in different areas of life, so they can be
applied everywhere people congregate.
Youth and ICT
While access to technology and associated electronic content has significantly changed
the lives of many young people in developed countries, this is not always the case for
those in less developed countries. Youth in less developed and developing countries are
underestimated or maybe we should say youth underestimate themselves, not knowing
that they are the growing force on the international stage. Youth employment is in crisis
according to the International Labour Organization (ILO), which estimates that some 75
million are out of work as of 2012 and the rate of unemployment in less developed
countries keeps increasing every year. That accounts for 41% of total global
unemployment.
However, access to ICTs such as computers, mobile phones and the Internet in
developing countries is increasing with possibilities and potential benefits of increased
access and young people are the main users of these tools, especially the internet and
more advanced features of mobile phones. The main challenge now is how young people
can make effective use of the ICT opportunities that came with 21st century for carrier
and enterprise development.
ICT and Enterprise Development
ICT is a catalyst that is changing economy, especially in Africa, offering new
opportunities for job seekers, entrepreneurs, brands and businesses. Technology is
increasingly disrupting the way people do businesses—greatly revolutionizing the way
businesses start and operate in today’s digital world. It has become a powerful tool for

entrepreneurship, which is playing an increasing role in business development,
investment, modernization, marketing and sales.
The rapid evolution of digital era in Africa is providing opportunities for businesses to
thrive and be more profitable. With the ICT, there is virtually no limit to what you can
do; no limit to people you can connect with around the world; no limit to resources you
can access; and no limit to opportunities you can annex. ICT presents young people with
opportunities and makes it easy to find more opportunities to connect, operate
businesses and improve their efficiency.
Youth and Effective Use of ICTs
ICTs are greatly changing the way people interact—communicate, work, transact
businesses, learn and play. Although, according to the Chinese Academy of Social
Sciences Internet Survey and from what is obtainable around us, the main reason for
many youth to use computers, the internet, and mobile phones is entertainment—
playing games, downloading music, watching movies, and talking with friends—the new
ICT technologies are having wide-ranging effects on youth transitions. The following are
different facilitating and enterprise applications of ICTs.
• ICT for connectivity and collaboration: Connectivity is crucial for development.
Since human beings are social beings, to be successful in any society, you need to
connect with people and create solutions. The digital transformation we are
currently experiencing in Africa has led to a better connection between people
especially with email, social media and telecommunications, and more opportunities
for individuals, organizations and businesses provided by ICTs without regard for
geographic location. This connectivity promotes effective communication ideas,
opportunities and general information among people.

• ICT for study: ICTs diversify the range of learning opportunities, especially with
education. The Internet provides connection to electronic learning materials, online
schools and libraries. You can learn from anywhere, anytime, and at any pace, and
obtain diplomas and degrees from accredited online institutions through e-learning
facilities.
• ICT for business and entrepreneurship: ICT is an evolving technology that creates
ever-evolving world of unlimited business and career opportunities. It creates jobs
for youth, including employment as ICT consultants, instructors, programmers,
computer operators, graphic designers, business and internet café workers, web
developers, bloggers, computer hardware repairers, data scientists and analysts, and
more. The new technologies provide freelance job opportunities for youths with
professionals ICT skills, to work for different organizations rather than working all
the time for a single organization.
• ICT for job and carrier development: In addition to directly creating jobs, ICTs
provide information about non-ICT job openings and carrier development
opportunities to youth. Online jobs databases offer information to those with
internet access. ICTs provide opportunities for carrier development in all fields of
life for different purposes.
• ICT for marketing, sales and business promotion: ICT as a promoting technology
makes it possible to transact and promote businesses anywhere and sell to anyone in
any part of the world. Business transactions—buying and selling of goods and
services, marketing and promotional activities are now being conducted with digital
technologies. Such technologies include e-commerce, SEO, social media marketing,
email marketing, Whatsapp and SMS marketing.

• ICT for productivity and everyday tasks: With ICT, especially the Internet, you can
complete many routine tasks, including banking, shopping, bill payments, online bulk
SMS, Internet calls, mapping and location, and many more at home, rather than
going from one place to another to get them done.
Some Online Business Ideas
ICT, being an evolving universal and versatile technology, presents new opportunities
everyday. Online freelance opportunities mostly require soft skills, such as data
processing, graphic design, programming, web development, database administration,
and use of some computer application packages to proffer solutions. The following are
some online business ideas:
▪ ICT Consultancy Services
▪ Software programming and script
writing
▪ Web & Mobile App Development
▪ Digital Marketing and Lead
Generation
▪ Blogging
▪ Book Review and Proofreading
▪ Presentation Designs
▪ E-book Publishing
▪ Graphic & Logo Designs
▪ CV Designs
▪ Freelance Writing
▪ Video Editing
▪ SMS Reselling
▪ Starting a Local SEO
▪ Digital currency / Cryptocurrency
▪ E-commerce Store
▪ E-learning Service
▪ Ad Network
▪ Online Coaching
▪ Recruitment Service
▪ Affiliate Marketing
▪ Online Survey

Conclusion
ICT holds the potential for strengthening development efforts, providing a platform for
socio-economic growth and changing the face of employment in the nation where
strategic use is made of such (ICT) opportunities. With the increasing digital, social,
mobile and Internet usage around the world, everyone has almost equal chance to
connect with millions of people and businesses all over the world without regard for
geographic location. That’s a great opportunity that should be utilized! To revolutionize
our lives and businesses, break the cycle of unemployment and accelerate freedom via
ICT-enabled change, we all need to utilize the great opportunities that came with the
21st century—ICT—appropriately. We need to acquire the required ICT skills and get the
right tools to improve our efficiency and create viable and profitable businesses with
global recognition.

About the Author
Simeon A. Adedokun is a fervid corporate trainer, ICT consultant, computer
programmer, web developer and database administrator with several years of
experience and many completed projects. He is the Team Lead at Simdol Technologies
and the CTO at Docblock Solutions.
Tel: 234-806-0530-063
Email: ayoade@simdols.com
Website: www.simdols.com
Office Address: Suite 2, Cedar Investment Five, Opp. Blind Center, Fapote Road,
Ogbomoso.
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Youth, ICT and Enterprise Development in Africa

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Youth, ICT and Enterprise Development in Africa