Emerging economies in Africa and developed nations have a complex history, marked by colonial ties, but now they’re finding new connections through digital technology.
Developed countries are eyeing Africa for growth opportunities. However, to build strong partnerships, they need to offer real benefits in return. One noteworthy initiative is the Digital Explorers program, which supports the exchange of IT professionals and skills between Africa and the Baltic region. Funded by the European Commission and spearheaded by Osmos, a think tank in Lithuania, this program aims to close the tech talent gap in the Baltic states while fostering greater collaboration between these regions.
The Baltic nations—Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia—are leaders in digital innovation, but they face a scarcity of talent. Estonia, despite its advanced digital landscape, has only about 1.3 million residents. On the flip side, countries like Nigeria, while still developing their digital economies, boast a growing pool of IT professionals. With a population nearing 240 million, Nigeria has immense potential.
But Africa isn’t just a talent reservoir for Europe; it also represents a vast market for goods and services. Initiatives like Digital Explorers aim to deepen ties and spur cooperation between these regions.
In practical terms, this initiative provides African IT professionals with valuable skills to drive progress in their home countries. For instance, at Turing College in Vilnius, the program has trained 90 junior to mid-level data analysts from Africa. These analysts eventually head to the Baltic region to work, particularly in the area’s thriving tech startup scene.
Take Cindy Waweru from Nairobi, Kenya, for example. At just 24, she’s carving out her path as a policy analyst with a blend of economics and data skills. Invited by the Kenya Private Sector Business Alliance, she faced a choice between a job in Kenya or Lithuania and chose the latter. “Once I saw the Lithuania option, I was pretty intrigued,” she shared. Her background in economics and statistics set her up well for a role at Visionary Analytics in Vilnius.
Cindy sees this experience as a springboard for her career. Now on a six-month placement, she can either continue working in Lithuania or take her newfound knowledge back to Kenya. She recognizes that her international exposure could create more opportunities in the rapidly growing tech environment back home, often referred to as the “Silicon Savannah.”
Cindy also points out the lessons she’s learning about how countries in Europe cooperate. “I’ve noticed the frameworks and policies that guide EU member states,” she explained. “In Africa, we have the African Union, but much of the policy is driven by national governments. Increased intergovernmental collaboration would really benefit us.”
The program’s vision extends beyond skill building; it aims to establish enduring business relationships. Ashley Immanuel, a co-founder at Semicolon in Nigeria, embodies this vision. She’s actively connecting with Baltic tech firms and acknowledges the rapid evolution of Nigeria’s digital market over the last decade. Despite having a rich tech landscape of startups and the digital transformation of traditional industries, Nigeria still faces a mismatch between the skills of its workforce and the needs of leading tech companies.
In contrast, Baltic nations grapple with their own challenges, particularly in attracting talent to support their vibrant tech ecosystems. Immanuel emphasizes the mutual desire to learn from each other, highlighting an eagerness among European companies to build ties with African firms and to promote diversity within the IT workforce.
Žilvinas Švedkauskas from Osmos believes in fostering “unexpected country partnerships.” He emphasizes the importance of personal connections, saying, “We built the project around people and their digital journeys, paving the way for more business-to-business and government-to-government engagement.”