Upskilling for the Future: Font Hall and The Future Project empower African youths

By 2030, Africa will house 42 percent of the global youth population, with 602 million aged 15–34, according to the World Economic Forum.

This demographic could drive innovation, but without training, untapped potential may fuel unemployment and unrest. Nigeria’s youth, digitally savvy yet under-skilled, need immediate upskilling to harness this “youth dividend” and power economic growth across the continent.

The rise of AI and emerging technologies heightens the risk of talent redundancy. McKinsey warns that 39 percent of job skills will become obsolete by 2030, with AI potentially automating 30 percent of jobs in low-income countries like Nigeria. Employers increasingly seek workers proficient in skills like AI, big data, and UX/UI, leaving those without relevant skills vulnerable to job loss and reduced productivity.

Upskilling in premium skills is critical to remain competitive. AI is projected to add $30 billion to Sub-Saharan Africa’s economy by 2030, creating demand for expertise in AI-driven tools, software and product development, and analytics. Professionals who master these skills can secure high-impact roles, boosting productivity and ensuring relevance in a tech-driven global market.

These skills unlock local and global opportunities, enabling African talents to join Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, or compete internationally. Digital inclusion could add $1.5 trillion to Africa’s GDP by 2030, according to Brookings, offering better livelihoods and sustainable development for skilled professionals.

Font Hall, a leading community-based tech talent accelerator is tackling these challenges, aiming to train 200,000 industry-ready tech talents by 2030 through project-based learning solutions.

Font Hall and The Future Project, a non-profit dedicated to empowering African youth has announce a 2-Day Virtual Tech Bootcamp themed “Re-Imagining Your Career with Tech,” set for July 19–20, 2025, by 2 PM and 5 PM WAT respectively.

Hosting seasoned facilitators from top companies like Google, Microsoft, and Deloitte, this initiative equips career professionals and tech enthusiasts with skills to thrive in a digital economy. “We’re empowering African talents to lead the global tech revolution,” said Bode Maxwell-Akinyemi, Founder/CEO of Font Hall.

Font Hall’s mission aligns with Nigeria’s need for digital transformation, offering programs in skills like Data Science/Analytics, AI, software development, and UX/UI etc. to empower youth and professionals. Font Hall’s innovative approach, including tools like the AI Career Assessment Test, positions it as a leader in African tech education.

Partnering with The Future Project, which champions youth empowerment through job creation and active citizenship, Font Hall amplifies its impact. This 2-Day Virtual Tech Bootcamp delivers opportunities to explore hands-on and project-based learning to navigate 2025’s tech economy and beyond.

Africa faces a critical tech illiteracy and unemployment crisis, particularly in Nigeria. The World Economic Forum reports that 3 in 4 African youth lack digital skills, while McKinsey projects 230 million digital jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030, requiring advanced proficiency. In Nigeria, where 35–45 percent qof jobs will demand digital skills by 2030, high unemployment, especially among youth, risks economic and social instability without urgent intervention.