Abstract

In recent times, unemployment has become a persistent challenge. Many African countries have tried to unravel its causes and arrive at sustainable solutions. Several propositions, research studies and in-depth analyses have been conducted to find ways to end the scourge which has affected mostly the younger generation. This has not achieved anything worthwhile, as the rate of unemployment is increasing all over the continent. The inability to reduce unemployment has fuelled crime rates and other forms of social unrest/distress. This chapter examines the connection between digital literacy and its value in ending the scourge of unemployment. It also brings to the fore ways in which digital literacy can be used to increase employees’ productivity especially in the 21st century when advancement in the workplace may be measured through skills that promote productivity and not mere academic qualifications, and the function of digital literacy both as an instrument and a concept in bringing about the desired reduction of unemployment in Africa.

Keywords:Digital literacy, unemployment, underemployment, workplace productivity.

Introduction

Unemployment or underemployment is the bane of many countries in Africa and the world in general as it continues to be a major cause of poverty, economic impoverishment and an abrupt increase in the rate of crime and other forms of social unrest. Sub-Saharan Africa may be the worst hit by unemployment and underemployment with the International Labour Organization (ILO, 2019) observing that the youth unemployment rate in sub- Sahara Africa (SSA) was 13.27% in 2018, exceeding the rate recorded on other Continents.

Poor economic policies, political unrest, large-scale conflicts and poor management of resources may be the cause of this high rate of unemployment and under-employment in Africa. However, there is also a high probability that the lack of technological skills, experience and knowledge of digital skills in many job seekers is another cause of the spike in the rate of unemployment, as many job seekers rely on their certificates without acquiring or honing relevant technological skills that are not taught in schools. This, according to Metu et al. (2019), results in a disparity between employers’ demands and the available skills.