PalmPay steps up youth investment to bridge Nigeria’s digital skills gap

PalmPay is stepping up its investment in youth development as Nigeria faces a widening gap in the digital skills needed to participate in the country’s increasingly technology-driven economy.

The financial technology company said its youth-focused programmes are designed to address some of the barriers facing young Nigerians, including limited digital skills, weak financial literacy and inadequate access to workplace experience and career opportunities.

The push comes as Nigeria’s large youth population faces growing pressure to acquire skills that can translate into jobs, entrepreneurship and financial independence.

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According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), only about seven percent of young people aged 15 to 24 in Nigeria possess basic information and communication technology skills, underscoring the scale of the challenge as businesses and public services become increasingly digital.

For PalmPay, the skills gap makes youth development more than a corporate social responsibility initiative. The company sees investment in young people as part of building the workforce and entrepreneurial capacity that Nigeria will need to sustain economic growth.

“At PalmPay, we are committed to equipping young Nigerians to learn, earn and thrive in an increasingly digital economy. Unlocking their potential requires access to the right skills, knowledge and opportunities. We believe that investing in young people today is an investment in a stronger, more inclusive Nigeria,” Chika Nwosu, managing director of PalmPay Nigeria, said.

One of the company’s initiatives is its Graduate Trainee Programme, which gives young graduates exposure to the workplace while allowing them to develop professional skills and gain experience in the fast-changing technology and financial services industry.

PalmPay is also using financial education as another route to youth empowerment.

Through its NYSC Financial Literacy Programme, the company provides practical lessons to members of the National Youth Service Corps on saving, budgeting, spending and protecting their money.

The programme targets young Nigerians at a critical transition point, when many are moving from education into employment, entrepreneurship and greater financial responsibility.

PalmPay’s youth strategy also includes initiatives targeted at young women.

Its Purple Woman programme provides opportunities for internships, learning and professional development, with a focus on increasing female participation in the technology sector.

The initiatives reflect a broader shift in the way youth empowerment is being approached by companies operating in Nigeria’s digital economy.

Rather than focusing only on financial support, the programmes combine skills, workplace exposure, financial knowledge and access to professional networks.

That approach is particularly important as employers increasingly require workers who can use digital tools, manage money effectively and adapt to changing business models.

For Nigeria, the challenge extends beyond getting young people into the labour market. The country also needs to ensure that its growing youth population has the skills required to contribute productively to an economy increasingly shaped by technology, digital finance and entrepreneurship.

The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, has also identified skills development, job creation, entrepreneurship and social inclusion as priorities in its youth development agenda.

PalmPay said its long-term objective is to contribute to that wider effort by giving young Nigerians practical opportunities to build careers and make better financial decisions.

A graduate who gains workplace experience can build the foundation for a professional career or business. A Corps member who develops stronger financial habits can carry those skills into adulthood. A young woman who gains access to professional networks can increase her chances of participating in the technology sector and potentially create opportunities for others.

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The company said these outcomes demonstrate why youth empowerment should be viewed as an investment in Nigeria’s economic future rather than simply as a social intervention.

As Nigeria works to close its digital skills gap, the ability of businesses, government and other institutions to provide young people with relevant skills and meaningful opportunities will become increasingly important.

For PalmPay, International Youth Day provides an opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to that effort, with the company positioning its youth programmes around a broader goal: helping young Nigerians become skilled, financially informed and better prepared to participate in the economy.

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