Mapping Digital Skills in Zimbabwe

Overview & Synopsis

This report presents the findings of a digital skills mapping study conducted in Zimbabwe, focusing on how available programs respond to labor market needs. The study was conducted in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE). This report builds directly on the 2018 National Critical Skills Audit, focusing specifically on digital skills as a subset of Zimbabwe’s broader skills ecosystem. The recommendations are designed to operationalize Zimbabwe’s ICT Policy and position the country to join and benefit from the African Centres of Excellence (ACE) network, leveraging regional best practices and opportunities for advanced digital skills development. Building on the Africa Higher Education Centres of Excellence (ACE) program, which has demonstrated strong results in developing regionally relevant postgraduate training, applied research, and industry partnerships across 11 African countries, Zimbabwe has an opportunity to establish one or more ACEs focused on digital skills and digital transformation. Such an ACE can help address the country’s severe shortage of advanced digital skills, strengthen university-industry linkages, and position Zimbabwe as a regional hub for high-level digital talent, while also piloting innovative models to reach youth outside the formal higher education system.