#National News

Hon. Ousman Sillah joins Global Panel on Africa’s digital skills transition

Oct 16, 2025, 10:48 AM | Article By: Isatou Ceesay Bah

Hon. Ousman Sillah, secretary general of the Sub-Saharan Africa Skills and Apprenticeship Stakeholders Network (SASASNET), represented The Gambia and the sub-region as a distinguished panelist at the Skills for Fair Digital Transitions in Africa Conference, held from 7th to 8th October 2025 at the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organisation (ITCILO) in Turin, Italy.

The high-level conference, jointly organised by the ILO in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, brought together policymakers, education experts, development partners, and stakeholders in the digital economy to discuss strategies for ensuring that Africa’s digital transformation is inclusive, fair, and skills-driven.

Participating in one of the key panel discussions, Hon. Sillah shared insights on the importance of strengthening technical and vocational education, promoting equitable access to digital skills, and fostering partnerships among governments, training institutions, and the private sector. He emphasised that as Africa navigates the digital revolution, the continent must prioritise the empowerment of its youth and workforce through adaptable and forward-looking skills training systems.

The session moderated by Ms. Christine Hoffman from the ILO Regional Office for Africa in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, explored practical approaches to integrating digital competencies into traditional apprenticeship models while ensuring that the transition to digital economies does not leave vulnerable populations behind.

Hon. Sillah’s contribution underscored SASASNET’s ongoing efforts to enhance collaboration among stakeholders and promote skills development policies that align with labour market demands. His participation also highlighted The Gambia’s growing role in continental dialogues on education reform, workforce readiness, and digital inclusion.

Officials said the conference served as a platform for experts and institutions to exchange best practices and identify innovative pathways for achieving decent work, economic growth, and sustainable development through digital skills.