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Paper short abstract:

This talk examines the new IT industry in Africa and socio-political aspects through the case of a Ghanaian company with an operative and training branch. It studies the first three years after its foundation and discusses the conditions for the firm and skilled workers in a digital global economy.

Paper long abstract:

My presentation addresses socio-political dimensions in the new IT industry in Africa, especially concerning work. It examines a sphere that embeds skilled workers in the new conditions of a digital global economy. The worldwide demand for IT skills leads to new business activities and developmental efforts in Africa. This field promises to drive economic growth and job creation in many countries. Local and international corporations, development organizations, and state actors have a strong interest in IT. Yet, these interests and the plans of employees do not always overlap – one of many entry points for socio-political conflicts.

The paper examines ongoing processes in the case of a recently funded Ghanaian IT business and training company. The focus lies on the first three years of this firm. A particularity is that this enterprise has a training branch and an operative branch. It offers free training for young Ghanaians to qualify them for competitive work in the business sector. The financial means for the founding came from the German mother company and development agencies.

This enterprise had to deal with multiple problems. The difficulties range from insecure infrastructure such as power failures to the search for staff to the high turnover of employees. A somewhat paradoxical structure was the double strategic outlook of the training and business sector. The more successful employees were in the training, the higher the probability that they will leave for better-paying international companies. Digitalization and the global reach of employability have multiple effects on this in-demand industry.