The rejuvenated project will strive to improve economic, civic and social development over the next two years
The Kefeta project to empower young people in Ethiopia is receiving a ‘digital boost that those involved say is worth €2.4 million. The project was set up in 2021 by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with $60 million over five years pledged to the programme which was to be implemented by Amref Health Africa and its consortium partners.
Cost of lost opportunities
The aim is to advance economic, social, and civic opportunities for young Ethiopians aged 15 to 29 – Kefeta means to elevate. Ethiopia is Africa’s second most populated country with 126.5 million people of which about 40 million are aged between 15 and 29. However, secondary and tertiary education completion rates are low, at 29% and 13.3% respectively, compared to 76% and 30% globally.
Ethiopian graduates often lack the skills to navigate the labour market, and a lack of jobs and livelihood opportunities means that 25% of young people are unemployed.
UNESCO’s latest report estimates that worldwide, out-of-school children and educational gaps will cost $10 trillion annually by 2030, making education a strategic investment for individuals, economies, and society.
Amref and its consortium partners have established more than 105 Kefeta service delivery outlets, including youth hubs, career development centres and youth friendly heath service corners across eighteen cities to impact over 2 million young people,
Desta Lakew, Resources Mobilisation and Global Partnership Director at Amref Health Africa comments, “Empowering Africa’s youth through innovative partnerships isn’t just a duty — it’s an investment in our shared future. As we engage the private sector like the Vodafone Foundation, we unlock the potential of young minds, cultivating a generation ready to lead change.”
Boosting Kefeta
The boost is part of a new two-year Commitment to Action announced at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 2024 Annual Meeting. Vodafone Foundation, (USAID), Amref Health Africa and Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia (Safaricom Ethiopia) are partnering to digitise Kefeta.
The Commitment to Action is backed by funding from Vodafone Foundation to the tune of €1.6 million. USAID and Amref are contributing the equivalent to €760,000 in kind, supported with value-in-kind from Safaricom Ethiopia.
Vodafone Foundation will draw on its technical expertise and ten-year experience of running the Instant Network Schools programme in six African countries to support the technical implementation of the project. Safaricom Ethiopia will provide in-country connectivity. Amref will use its in-depth knowledge of Ethiopian society and its network of youth-led organisations to lead the delivery and measure impact.
The plan is to create digital hubs, incubation centres and improved access to online education, skills and knowledge.
Key elements of the programme include:
- Better tech infrastructure at Kefeta-affiliated centres, including youth centres, university career development centres, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges. Many lack essential digital tools, reliable power supplies or internet access.
- Using technology to improve primary and secondary education for internally displaced populations – the country has 4.5 million Ethiopians displaced by conflict and climate-induced disasters.
- Digitalising Kefeta’s integrated youth services to expand their reach. Partners will create self-paced, interactive learning materials and distribute them through a free online platform accessible via Safaricom Ethiopia’s network. They will also secure access to top industry courses.
- Establishing digital incubation hubs to foster innovation and self-employment in the digital economy. These hubs will function like tech start-up incubators, offering young people the opportunity to assess business ideas and receive expert mentorship.
- Increasing young people’s employability by promoting digital literacy and innovation. This includes offering internships and job placements in leading tech and IT companies, starting with 1,000 scholarships on Safaricom Ethiopia’s Talent Cloud platform. Vodafone Foundation, Safaricom Ethiopia, and Amref will leverage their corporate networks to secure additional livelihood opportunities from tech companies operating in Ethiopia.
Joakim Reiter, Vodafone Chief External & Corporate Affairs Officer and Vodafone Foundation Trustee said, “Building on the strong progress made by USAID in creating youth empowering centres across Ethiopia, Vodafone Foundation and our partners are seeking to take Kefeta to the next level.
“We are bringing our know-how and experience in operating Instant Network Schools in Africa to Kefeta, boosting the opportunities for young Ethiopians to elevate their potential through digital learning, skills and entrepreneurship.”