Since the launch of its YouthSpark initiative in December last year, global software developer Microsoft has reached over half a million youth and made $1.1-million worth of software donations to nongovernmental organisations in sub-Saharan Africa.

The programme, which formed part of the corporation’s 4Africa initiative, which was launched in February, had also resulted in the training of almost 30 000 teachers through its ‘Partners In Learning’ programme and had equipped hundreds of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with relevant start-up skills.

YouthSpark aimed to create opportunities for 300-million youth in more than 100 countries during the next three years. The initiative included corporate social investment (CSI) and other company programmes that were geared towards empowering youth by connecting them with greater opportunities for education, employment and entrepreneurship.

Microsoft indicated that it was committed to driving opportunities for African youth through its YouthSpark initiative, as unemployment remained rife in Africa, with about 200-million people aged between 15 and 24 being without jobs. This was particularly concerning, as the youth represented more than 60% of the continent’s total population and accounted for 45% of its growing labour force.

The company further stated that the imbalance between the demands of the labour market and the supply of appropriately skilled workers in Africa was reaching a breaking point.

Meanwhile, as part of its broader strategy, Microsoft viewed Africa as a critical investment market and, through its flagship African investment and growth drive, 4Afrika, planned to actively engage in Africa’s economic development to improve its global competitiveness.

By 2016, the 4Afrika initiative would have assisted with handing millions of smart devices to African youth, brought one-million African SMEs online, up-skilled 100 000 members of Africa’s existing workforce and helped an additional 100 000 recent graduates develop skills for employability.

“Through YouthSpark, we are paying specific attention to the next generation of our ecosystem through our work with schools, students, start-ups and the developer community to drive skills and information and communication technology integration which will, in turn, trigger growth,” Microsoft Africa CSI programme manager Djam Bakhshandegi stated.