Na’amal, DOT, and The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Launch Follow-Up to Successful Digital Skills Programme in Ethiopia
Na’amal, in partnership with Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT), is thrilled to announce the launch of the Accelerating Digital Livelihoods in Ethiopia programme, a follow-up to its groundbreaking programme in Ethiopia funded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. Building on the success of its first iteration, which concluded in March 2024 Na’amal and DOT continue their mission to address the critical lack of employment opportunities for displaced persons in Ethiopia. This programme is a beacon of hope and opportunity for refugees and Ethiopians, providing them with the necessary skills to thrive in the digital economy.
A Proven Success: The First Programme’s Achievements
The inaugural programme, the Digital Livelihoods in Ethiopia programme, was a resounding success. Thirty participants, comprising refugees and Ethiopians, completed an 11-month intensive training course. They graduated with advanced digital skills, human skills for digital employment, and full-stack web development training. We are so pleased to announce that already 60% of our graduates have been connected to remote work opportunities through Na’amal, Appen or the Na’amal Agency with two of our alumni having been onboarded as core Na’amal team members and 83.4% being refugees. This milestone underscores the transformative impact of targeted, skill-based training programmes.
Addressing Urgent Needs: The Importance of Digital Livelihoods
The urgency of such interventions cannot be overstated. As the global number of displaced persons has more than doubled in the last decade, reaching over 117.3 million at the end of 2023, the need for sustainable solutions is more pressing than ever. According to the UNHCR Global Trends Report, forced displacement will exceed 120 million people by the end of 2024 due to escalating political conflicts and the catastrophic impacts of climate change. In this context, creating dignified, digitally-enabled livelihoods for vulnerable populations, such as the 800,000 refugees in Ethiopia, is paramount.
Solomon Tadesse, Country Director of Digital Opportunity Trust Ethiopia, highlights the urgent need of this initiative:
“In a world fraught with challenges — fostering dignified, digitally enabled livelihoods for vulnerable populations — like the 1 million refugees in Ethiopia is a priority. Accelerating Digital Livelihoods in Ethiopia programme is a holistic and effective approach to opening pathways for refugees in Ethiopia to access remote and dignified work. Under the generous support of the Conrad Hilton Foundation, DOT is pleased to partner with Na’amal for a second year, equipping refugees with the digital skills, professional capabilities, and work experiences, enabling them to thrive in today’s digital economy.”
The Broader Impact: Transforming Lives and Communities
The transformative potential of digital livelihoods extends beyond individual empowerment. Ethiopia, the second-largest refugee hosting country in Africa, is home to 733,125 refugees, with 53% being female. Urban refugees, particularly youth and women, face multiple barriers to sustainable income generation in the formal sector. By turning to the informal sector and entrepreneurship, they significantly contribute to the Ethiopian economy. Programmes like Na’amal’s and DOT’s equip these individuals with the skills to master emerging technologies, access ICT-enabled jobs, and build the self-confidence necessary to harness opportunities in the informal sector
Barri Shorey, Senior Program Officer, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, speaking on the potential of this initiative:
“The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation is committed to creating sustainable, dignified livelihoods for displaced populations. We choose to continue our partnership with DOT and Na’amal due to their proven effective approach and success in the first programme. Their ability to equip refugees with essential digital skills and secure remote work opportunities has shown significant impact. By reinvesting in this partnership, we are confident that we will continue to further empower refugees and nationals in Ethiopia to thrive in the digital economy.”
The Follow-Up Programme: Scaling New Heights
The follow-up programme, a joint effort between Na’amal and DOT, kicked off with an Orientation Session on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. This session was pivotal in setting the stage for the participants’ journey, introducing them to the programme’s structure, objectives, and support network. Over the next 11 months, more than 30 new participants will undergo rigorous training, benefiting from an asynchronous, self-paced course enriched with interactive workshops, one-to-one mentoring, and remote work opportunities provided by Appen and Na’amal Agency. Additionally, DOT Ethiopia will deliver a full-stack web development training course, further enhancing the participants’ digital competencies.
A Collaborative Effort: Leveraging Diverse Expertise
This collaborative effort brings together the complementary strengths of various partners. DOT Ethiopia leads the delivering of the Advanced Digital Skills programme, leveraging the Full Stack Web-Development program from DOT Jordan and Na’amal provides its Remote Work Readiness programme, extensive network of employment partners for internship linkages, and employment coaching support. Together, these organizations are poised to address Ethiopia’s biggest economic and social challenges, including poverty reduction, job creation, the refugee crisis, and digital transformation.
As Na’amal and DOT embark on this follow-up phase, it is more than just a continuation of a successful initiative; it is a reaffirmation of our commitment to creating sustainable, positive economic growth through job creation and digital transformation for us as well as for the Conrad Hilton Foundation. By equipping refugees and Ethiopians with digital skills and professional capabilities, we are not only opening doors to dignified work but also contributing to a more inclusive digital economy.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue this journey, empowering individuals and transforming communities through the power of digital skills and remote work opportunities.
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For more information about us and our partners:
- Na’amal
