In many parts of the world, digital technology has become the foundation of education, employment, and entrepreneurship. UNESCO recognizes digital literacy as a key competency for lifelong learning, while the World Bank emphasizes that digital skills improve employability, entrepreneurship, and economic inclusion. The International Labour Organization (ILO) also reflects that digital competencies are increasingly essential as remote work and online businesses expand globally.

In places like Kakuma, Turkana County, where unemployment and limited economic opportunities remain significant challenges, digital skills are doing something even more remarkable: they are giving hope to young students and professionals, expanding access to livelihoods, and enabling them to participate in the global digital economy.

I witnessed this firsthand while volunteering as an IT Expert with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) at the NRC ICT Hub in Kakuma. My role was to facilitate a Digital Marketing course designed to equip young people with practical skills they could use to earn income online and build sustainable careers.

Need for and importance of digital skills in Kakuma: Kakuma is home to thousands of talented young people with ambition, creativity, and determination. Yet many face limited job opportunities and restricted access to professional training. Digital literacy provides a pathway where skills matter more than location.

During my volunteer service, I trained youth in social media marketing, content creation, graphic design fundamentals, branding, digital communication, freelancing opportunities, and building professional online portfolios. The objective was not simply to teach theory but to prepare participants to use technology as a sustainable source of income.

Participants worked on real projects including marketing campaigns, graphics, and content calendars. As confidence grew, many began exploring freelancing, entrepreneurship, and supporting businesses within their community.

Digital Skills as a Tool for Community Development: When young people gain digital knowledge, the entire community benefits. They can support local businesses, assist organizations with awareness campaigns, strengthen digital education, and create employment opportunities for others.

Challenges faced: Despite progress, barriers remain, including limited access to computers, unreliable internet connectivity, expensive mobile data, and inconsistent electricity.

A Personal Reflection: Volunteering at the NRC ICT Hub remains one of the most meaningful experiences of my professional journey. Watching young people discover their potential through digital learning reinforces my belief that education and practical digital skills can transform lives.

Way forward: Continued investment from government, humanitarian organizations, the private sector, and community leaders are essential to promote and provide scope for the future.

To conclude, technology alone does not transform communities; people do. By investing in digital literacy, mentorship, and youth empowerment, we can equip more young people with the skills needed to succeed in employment, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

Acknowledgement: My sincere thanks to Dr Bijayalaxmi Panda and all stakeholders through GMI program for their support and guidance.

About the Author

Erot John Ekalapatan is a Digital Marketing Professional, ICT Trainer, and Graphic Designer based in Kakuma, Turkana County, Kenya. He currently works at Akiporo Cyber and previously volunteered with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), training youth in digital marketing and online income-generation skills. His long-term vision is to establish a Digital Learning Hub in Kakuma to expand access to quality digital education and employment opportunities.