Utiva

Solution Pitch

The Problem

How can African companies thrive in a digital economy without a well-trained workforce? 2 out of every 3 African graduates are unemployed—yet there are roughly 3.5 million entry-level vacancies that go unfilled each year. This is a reflection of the continent's skills gap. Digital skills learning can be a costly challenge in Africa, where it is on-average 4 times more expensive to learn remotely due to the cost of internet access. 

The Solution

By providing the Nucleus directly to African youth, Utiva is bridging the digital skills gap across Africa.

The Nucleus is an encrypted hardware with more than 70 different structured and tech skills learning programs accessible with or without internet connection. The training programs are developed by a network of 350 faculty and consist of video, voice note instructions, and assignments. To complement the learning experience, virtual coaching systems and accountability partners are available to each learner weekly through a simple Chat-bot. The hardware is a 300G encrypted tab with an earpiece with WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity and a battery life span of 12 hours.

Stats 

Utiva trained over 6,000 people within 2 years, achieving an 85 percent completion rate on learning programs, 90 percent completion rate on the virtual internship, and a 65 percent transition into new jobs.

Market Opportunity  

By 2030, over 230 million jobs in Africa will require digital skills. According to the International Finance Corporation, this translates to training opportunities for roughly 625 million people, an estimated $120 billion market. According to the McKinsey Institute, 75 percent of employers in Africa currently find it hard to fill roles that are critical to the growth of their business due to the skills gap. Digital illiteracy is a major barrier to employment among the 200 million young people in Sub-Saharan Africa, yet more than 85 percent of people in Africa abandon virtual skills training because of the associated cost. Currently, an average professional in Nigeria spends about $200 for technology upskilling and can pay as high as $1500. Meanwhile, The Nucleus provides a device and 2 digital courses for $80 with follow up courses costing as low as $40. 

Organization Highlights

• Founder Eyitayo Ogunmola named a Global Good Fund Fellow in 2019

• Launched the Wunming Scholarship – an initiative to empower 500 people with disabilities through digital skills training 

• Selected for Halcyon Incubator's program, Facebook Community Accelerator, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency Accelerator in 2020

• Featured in The Guardian, Tech Next, Techpoint, and more 

Partnership Goals

Utiva currently seeks:

• Opportunities to raise new capital  

• Partnerships with education and international NGOs