At the 15th UK–Africa Business, Trade & Investment Summit 2025, Elizabeth Ntege, one of Africa’s foremost leaders in technology and human capital development, delivered a visionary address that positioned ICT as the continent’s next major economic frontier.
“ICT is Africa’s new export. Our youth are not waiting to be saved — they’re ready to serve the world through technology.”
As Group CEO of NFT Consult, which operates across 12 African countries, and Vice President of the African ICT Association, Ntege underscored that technology is no longer just an enabler — it is a core growth engine capable of transforming governance, employment, and trade across Africa.
By 2050, one in every four people on Earth will be African — a connected, tech-ready generation with a projected spending power of $16.12 trillion. With 830 million youth entering the workforce, Africa’s demographic dividend, she argued, is digital, ambitious, and globally relevant.
ICT as a Growth Multiplier
Elizabeth Ntege showcased NFT Consult’s scalable ICT workforce model as proof that digital investment directly fuels job creation and economic inclusion.
- A $1 million pilot created hundreds of tech-enabled jobs across East Africa.
- A $5.8 million expansion is scaling to over 1,300 ICT-based positions in software development, BPO, and fintech operations.
She highlighted Africa’s digital workforce advantages — cost competitiveness, multilingual talent, and remote delivery capacity — across sectors including:
- Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and customer service
- Coding, cloud infrastructure, and software maintenance
- Fintech and digital payments support
- Virtual staffing for global enterprises
“Africa’s youth are not just job seekers — they are global digital contributors.”
A Call to Action for Investors
Ntege invited UK and global investors to co-create Africa’s digital economy through:
- Targeted ICT job creation and accelerator partnerships
- Collaborations with ICT associations and regional bodies like COMESA
- Infrastructure expansion to enhance connectivity and remote delivery
“We invite investors to join us in creating tech-enabled jobs for Africa’s youth. ICT is a ready sector with talent, ambition, and scalability — and the impact is immediate.”
Policy and Institutional Priorities
To unlock ICT’s full potential, Ntege urged African governments and development agencies to:
- Expand digital employment programs across the continent
- Strengthen public–private partnerships through continental ICT associations
- Promote remote work, skills export, and tech entrepreneurship as formal policy priorities
Shaping Global Perceptions
Ntege reframed Africa’s economic identity, emphasizing a shift from resource supply to digital service export. She argued that Africa’s youthful, tech-savvy workforce positions it to meet global demand for skilled digital talent — at competitive cost and scale.
“Africa is no longer a passive participant in global trade — we are becoming an indispensable service provider in the digital economy.”
Key Takeaway
ICT is Africa’s fastest-scaling industry, powered by its youthful workforce and rapid digital adoption. With strategic investment, policy alignment, and international partnerships, Africa can emerge as a global technology hub — exporting innovation, skills, and digital services to the world.
