Microsoft South Africa, in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), has launched Ikamva Digital, a transformative digital learning platform designed to empower South African youth and educators with the skills needed to thrive in the digital economy.
Developed under the Digital Skills for Jobs and Income II Project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Ikamva Digital is a direct response to the urgent need for industry-aligned, accessible digital skilling across South Africa’s 50 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.
The platform offers flexible, mobile-friendly learning pathways in high-demand areas such as cybersecurity, data analytics, software development, cloud computing, and multimedia design, all of which align with the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report, which identifies these domains as critical for global workforce readiness by 2030.
The initiative is backed by a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Higher Education and Training, reinforcing government’s commitment to digital transformation in education. It complements rather than replaces existing curricula, offering learners a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving job market.
“Ikamva Digital is more than a platform; it’s a bridge to South Africa’s digital future. By providing free access to AI fluency and demand-led career pathways, we are empowering TVET students, educators, and communities to thrive in an economy where technology and human potential intersect. This initiative reflects our commitment to inclusive growth, ensuring that no learner is left behind as we build a workforce ready for the jobs of tomorrow,” says Tiara Pathon, AI skills director: Elevate at Microsoft South Africa.
The learning tracks embedded in Ikamva Digital are strategically designed to meet the evolving demands of the global and local job market. An evolution, according to the World Economic Forum, that will see 39% of core job skills change by 2030, with a surge in demand for technology-driven roles aligned with human-centric capabilities.
The platform’s pathways directly address these shifts, preparing learners for the fastest-growing careers in the digital economy.
The platform’s five core learning tracks are built around demand-led pathways identified through GIZ’s March 2022 digital transformation readiness research with South African TVET colleges and aligned to the WEF’s top growth roles, and include:
- Cybersecurity: Prepares learners for roles such as Security Analyst and IT Administrator, addressing the global surge in demand for digital safety and risk management professionals.
- Data Analytics: Equips learners with skills in data storytelling, business intelligence, and statistical analysis – critical roles like Data Analyst and Business Intelligence Specialist.
- Software Development: Offers practical coding and agile development training for aspiring developers, one of the fastest-growing global professions.
- Cloud Computing: Supports learners in pursuing careers in cloud architecture, DevOps, and administration, as businesses increasingly adopt hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
- Content Development & Multimedia Design: Focuses on creative digital skills, including UX/UI design and e-learning content creation, preparing learners for roles in education, communication, and design.