Antananarivo, Madagascar, December 13, 2022— To support digital transformation in Madagascar and help create high-quality jobs, IFC and the Malagasy Ministry of Digital Development, Digital Transformation, Post and Telecommunications today announced a partnership to improve access to—and the quality of— advanced and specialized IT skills training in the country.
Under the partnership, IFC will work with Madagascar's government and local industry to define the types of advanced digital skills the country most needs, design the curriculum, and attract international education technology providers to work with local Malagasy institutions and universities to deliver the training.
The project seeks to train 6,000 people, including public and private sector employees and youth, within two years in IT professions such as software development, cloud architecture, data engineering, and cybersecurity. The training is in line with Madagascar's ambitious digital transformation plan, which includes digitizing public services to improve their quality and access. At least a quarter of those trained will be women.
The project will be implemented using a public private collaboration model. The Institute for the Future of Education at Tecnológico de Monterrey and Mercer, two global leaders in skills development and training, will oversee the training, ensuring it aligns with international standards and global best practices.
"The digital skills project is very timely as it will help deliver advanced IT skills trainings to strengthen human capital in Madagascar and support the growth of the digital ecosystem," said Tahina Razafindramalo, Minister of Digital Development, Digital Transformation, Post and Telecommunications of Madagascar. "The project aligns with government's commitment to better prepare for the digital economy by developing the needed digital skills and modernizing its administration to improve service delivery, boost economic growth and create much need jobs."
"The digital skills project is a game changer in Madagascar as it presents an opportunity to equip the young Malagasy population with the most advanced digital skills, such as cyber security coding, that will respond to the fast-growing and changing demands of the job market, and support economic activity," said Marcelle Ayo, IFC Country Manager for Madagascar.
"We are proud to be part of this project to further develop IT capabilities and skills, and promote innovation in education and lifelong learning as crucial enablers in the advancement of economic growth in Madagascar," said Michael Fung, Executive Director of the Institute for the Future of Education at Tecnológico de Monterrey.
"Mercer is honored to be part of shaping such a critical transformation initiative in Madagascar, which has the potential to positively impact the lives and livelihoods of people," said Rupali Gupta, Transformation and Talent Consulting Leader for Mercer, Singapore. "We are delighted to bring rich experiences in the public and private sector that have helped align digital skills with the job market in other countries".
By accelerating digital transformation, Madagascar could create about 140,000 new jobs linked to digital skills across nine sectors by 2027, including apparel, agri-processing, and tourism, according to an IFC analysis. The same analysis also found that Madagascar's fast-growing IT and business processing outsourcing sector will need to hire about 7,500 IT professionals every year for the next five years.
The World Bank's PRODIGY Project on digital governance is also supporting the project. Launched in 2020, the PRODIGY project is helping to modernize Madagascar's national identity database, streamline and digitize key services, and improve the government's capacity to deliver services in key sectors.
The partnership announced today is a joint initiative between IFC and the World Bank, in collaboration with MNDPT, and aligns with the government's objective to enhance digital skills in Madagascar. It builds on President Andry Rajoelina's Velirano plan to enhance access to education, create jobs and embrace the modernization of public sector service delivery in the country.
About MNDPT
The MNDPT is a ministry in charge of implementing the digital transformation projects proposed by the President of the Republic through the General State Program. With the vocation of developing an efficient digital economy, this cross-sector ministry is a lever for modernizing Madagascar. Its role is to guarantee access to New Information Technologies for all but must also ensure compliance with the specifications of public and private companies in the Telecommunications, Posts and digital development sector by playing the role of regulator, sensitizer and promoter, through the various organs provided for this purpose. For more information, visit https://www.mndpt.gov.mg/
About TdM
Tecnológico de Monterrey is a private nonprofit multi-campus university system distinguished globally for its academic excellence, innovation in education, entrepreneurship, and global vision, along with its deep engagement with industry and employers. With a presence across 28 cities in Mexico, has more than 67,000 enrolled undergraduate and graduate students and almost 7,000 faculty members. Belongs to several prestigious global networks including, the Association of Pacific Rim Universities and Universitas 21. According to the QS World University Rankings, it ranks 170th globally and among the top 30 private universities. The QS Graduate Employability Rankings places it 1st in Latin America and 26th worldwide. The Times Higher Education Latin America University Rankings ranks it 1st in Mexico and 5th in Latin America. For more information visit www.tec.mx.
About Mercer
Mercer believes in building brighter futures by redefining the world of work, reshaping retirement and investment outcomes, and unlocking real health and well-being. Mercer's approximately 25,000 employees are based in 43 countries and the firm operates in 130 countries. Mercer is a business of Marsh McLennan (NYSE: MMC), the world's leading professional services firm in the areas of risk, strategy and people, with 86,000 colleagues and annual revenue of over $20 billion. Through its market-leading businesses including Marsh, Guy Carpenter and Oliver Wyman, Marsh McLennan helps clients navigate an increasingly dynamic and complex environment. For more information, visit mercer.com. Follow Mercer on LinkedIn and Twitter.
About IFC
IFC—a member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2022, IFC committed a record $32.8 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
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Contacts
For IFC:
Hlazo Mkandawire
Phone: +27 83 795 0338
E-mail: hmkandawire@ifc.org
For MNDPT:
Josie V. Dominique
Phone: +261 34 68 465 17
E-mail: dcp@mndpt.gov.mg
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