Current challenges
In an increasingly digitalised world, technological shortfalls have considerable economic and social impacts. Companies can play an important role in improving the ability of developing and emerging countries to adopt technological advances and become more competitive.
- Digital skills for the labour market
A lack of (practical) knowledge in the use of digital technologies makes it difficult to recruit local professionals and leads to widespread unemployment, often even among young and well-trained people. Projects supported by develoPPP tackle this problem by providing practical initial and continuing training programmes, often turning their focus on disadvantaged groups such as women or people with disabilities. - Digitalisation of processes
As compared with analogue processes, digital solutions make it possible to process information more comprehensively, more efficiently and with fewer errors. This usually results in cheaper and better-quality services, which can be provided in a faster and more transparent fashion. Digitalised processes offer considerable development potential – particularly in public administration and the provision of basic public services. Potential applications within develoPPP projects are, for example, the piloting of digital technologies and scaling of innovative solutions developed by local start-ups. - Transparency in the supply chain
It is often difficult to seamlessly track manufacturing processes owing to the large number of suppliers and primary products involved. Digital solutions such as tracing apps and blockchain applications can make a key contribution to greater transparency in the supply chain and thus to complying with environmental and social standards. For example, develoPPP projects support the preparation and implementation of relevant digital processes.
How companies are using develoPPP in the digital transformation
AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST: Orange Digital Centers promote young tech talent
In collaboration with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, French telecommunications company Orange is setting up digital centres in 14 countries in Africa and the Middle East. These centres are located both in capital cities and rural areas and comprise coding schools, manufacturing workshops for developing prototypes, and a start-up support programme. Through free training courses, internships in real-life projects, mentoring, presentations, challenges and test exercises, young people acquire skills that prepare them for the international labour market. The project is aiming to achieve a share of at least 20 per cent women in its activities.
AFRICA: IT training to ward off cyberattacks
Only ten per cent of African companies are in a position to defend themselves against cyberattacks. The financial damage inflicted by such attacks is enormous. To remedy the lack of certified cybersecurity experts, SEC Consult Deutschland Unternehmensberatung GmbH together with DEG – Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH set up a train-the-trainer course, which enabled a total of 54 employees in African companies to become cybersecurity professionals. One aim of the course is to provide training in how to identify and ward off cyberattacks more effectively.
AFRICA AND ASIA: Digitalisation of international customs and transfers of goods
Deutsche Post DHL is working with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH to increase the efficiency and security of trade processes, including customs clearance, in Cambodia, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya and Rwanda. For example, in cooperation with the responsible ministries and border authorities, selected import and export procedures will be digitalised and exporting companies will receive training in the new procedures. Faster and more inexpensive procedures will improve access to international markets, in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises.
KENYA: Digital management solution for local public transport
As part of a pilot project for the develoPPP Ventures funding scheme, DEG – Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH has cofinanced an investment project launched by Data Integrated Limited (DIL) in Kenya. This female-led fintech company has developed a digital payment solution – including a customer management system – for the local public transport service, which suffers from corruption and inefficient administration. Thanks to the new system, bus companies can monitor ticket sales and vehicle movements more effectively and thus improve efficiency and profitability.
ASIA AND AFRICA: App to support sustainable chemicals management
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is cooperating with fashion companies Bestseller A/S, DELTEX Handelsgesellschaft mbH, Lindex AB and Orsay GmbH (up to 2022) to improve the transparency of chemical use in textile supply chains and reduce the use of hazardous chemicals. In total, 600 wet processing factories in Bangladesh, Turkey, China, India, Pakistan and Ethiopia will be provided with digital solutions and training courses to support the introduction of more sustainable conditions for production. The main focus is on the Bhive® platform, which helps to replace non-compliant chemicals with suitable alternatives.
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