ADS 2024, Sub-theme 2 – Documentary Videos | Office of the Special Adviser on Africa

In Focus

In case you missed it

Relive the High-level Policy Dialogue, featuring the participation of the heads of the UN and the AU as well as the President of Senegal
Watch the recording of the International Webinars that took place on 8 May, 15 May and 22 May respectively.
Watch the recording of the Youth Stages that took place on 9 May, 16 May and 23 May (English | French) respectively.
Read our new policy briefs titled STEM Education for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) in Africa with a Focus on Generating Decent Jobs for Africa's Youth, Transforming Education in Africa by Leveraging Innovative Finance and the Digital Revolution and Education and Learning in Crisis-affected Areas.

Week 2 | Day One — 13 May

The Africa Dialogue Series 2024 enters its second week, focusing on sub-theme "Transforming Education in Africa by Leveraging Innovative Finance and the Digital Revolution." The African Union Commission (), the International Telecommunication Union (), the 51吃瓜 Economic Commission for Africa () and The World Bank Group () are partnering to bring the activities and knowledge products to drive the exchanges this week, starting with the following documentary videos.

ITU Presents

Transforming Futures with Digital Skills through the ITU/EIF joint programme in Ethiopia

Embark on a journey of empowerment with young Ethiopian entrepreneurs Mastewal, Rahwa, and Fozia, as they share their transformative stories following their participation in the ITU/EIF joint programme "Tech as a driver of Women’s Economic Opportunity." Discover how the digital skills they acquired in the programme played a pivotal role in navigating challenges and propelling their journey to success. Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau, guides us through the heart of Ethiopia, showcasing how technology is shaping success for women owned businesses and female entrepreneurs and bringing them to new markets, heights and opportunities to thrive in the digital world.

Digital Impact Unlocked: BDT4Impact - Interview with Mrs Mlilo

Parents and teachers in rural Zimbabwe share their hopes and dreams for a digital future for their children. ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau met parents and teachers of the Ndlovu Secondary School in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and asked them about the importance of technology in children’s lives and why we need to keep them safe online. A New E-Learning project at Ndlovu Secondary School was inaugurated by the BDT Director on 29 April. As he cut the ribbon, he said: "Proud to witness this great progress – the future of education is here to unlock new opportunities and horizons."

Unleashing Digital Empowerment through the ITU/EIF Joint Programme in Burundi - Ruth's Story

Discover the power of digital transformation through the journey of young fashion entrepreneurs from Burundi. Their inspiring stories, empowered by the joint program 'Tech as a Driver of Women's Economic Opportunity,' showcase the impact of digital skills to open new opportunities and horizons, igniting positive changes in their lives and in their communities.

UNECA Presents

Empowering Tomorrow’s Tech Giants: Connected African Women Tech Founders (TAW) Initiative

The Connected African Women Tech Founders (TAW) initiative, launched by ECA's Technology and Innovation Section in December 2022, focuses on empowering female-led tech startups in Ethiopia, Senegal, Tanzania, and Tunisia. Over five months, TAW conducted intensive boot camps, followed by a three-month incubation phase, aimed at advancing projects to the Minimum Viable Product stage. The initiative culminated in a final ceremony in Addis Ababa, where Ujana, a Tanzanian e-commerce platform addressing sexual and reproductive health needs, won the $7,000 grand prize. TAW not only highlighted the potential of female entrepreneurs but also fostered partnerships and community support. Its success sets the stage for future editions, promising continued development for women's ventures in African tech.

Shaping Tomorrow: The Journey of the Connected African Girls Coding Camp Across Africa

The Connected African Girls Coding Camp, presented by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), is a transformative initiative aimed at bridging the gender digital gap in Africa. Held in eight nations, including Ethiopia, Guinea, and Mozambique, the camps have empowered over 30,000 girls both in-person and online. The camps offer diverse workshops, covering Robotics, IoT, AI, 3D Design, Scratch Programming, Website Development, and more, fostering both hard and soft skills crucial for addressing global challenges. Over 300 prototypes exhibited at innovation fairs demonstrate practical solutions to socio-economic issues within their communities. Testimonials from participants highlight life-changing experiences, equipping them to be leaders and change-makers. The initiative integrates ICT development into education strategies, contributing to inclusive and sustainable development across Africa, shaping a future where young African women lead as digital pioneers.

Click the following links to watch individual editions of the Girl Coding Camp:

, 1st Edition
, 3rd Edition
, 5th Edition
, 6th Edition
, 7th Edition

The World Bank Group Presents

Investing in Colombia's Future: How Innovative Financing Unlocked Higher Education?

In 2002, the World Bank and Colombia’s national student loan agency ICETEX partnered to overcome challenges in higher education by financing long-term loans for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The Programme had a transformative impact on Colombia’s human capital, enabling over 623,000 Colombians access higher education in the last two decades, with students from disadvantaged backgrounds reaching 90 per cent in 2023. The cornerstone of the Programme is a robust loan structure that aligned World Bank loan terms to students' capacities to repay their loans to ICETEX.

World Bank's IDA in Rwanda: Building Human Capital, Investing in Future Generations

The Rwandan government’s recent commitment to provide equitable opportunities for underprivileged and vulnerable households by investing in their nutrition, health care, and education is having a profound and wide-reaching impact. Through the support of the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA) and partners, educational reforms have prepared the country to better respond to shocks. For example, almost all primary school children returned to school after COVID-19 related closures. Also, drastic improvements in teacher management are paving the way for better student learning and improved teacher career pathways.

Burundi school feeding programmes are making a difference

Through a school feeding programme in Burundi, 87,000 children have been receiving daily hot meals for the last several years. The children’s parents participate in growing, preparing, and serving the food at the schools. The programme, supported by the International Development Association (IDA), is registering good results including better school retention and better learning among students.

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