About LIFA
LIFA is a pioneering non-profit sparking a rural digital renaissance across Africa. Our grassroots initiatives equip underserved communities with digital literacy, skills, access and platforms to unlock transformative opportunities in the 4th Industrial Revolution.
Litracy For Africa Context
Across sub-Saharan Africa, nations are faced with a multitude of intersecting socio-economic and developmental challenges that disproportionately impact rural and marginalized communities. It is against this backdrop that LIFA has emerged as a catalyst for positive change.
High Youth Unemployment: In Africa, where over 60% of the population is under 25, a significant portion of young people are grappling with alarmingly high unemployment rates, exceeding 50% in some countries. This situation perpetuates cycles of poverty, marginalization, and social instability. It's crucial to provide young people with digital skills that match market demands, as this is essential for accessing economic opportunities. Given the growing importance of online economies, it's vital to empower youth to participate effectively and earn income, especially since local job markets are unable to absorb all the unemployed youth
Teenage Pregnancies & Gender Inequalities: During the COVID-19 lockdown, there was a big increase in unplanned pregnancies, especially among teenagers. This happened
because many young people were at home without much to do, leading to more risky behaviors like having unprotected sex. In places like sub-Saharan Africa, about 28% of girls become mothers before they're 18. This can mess up their education and future opportunities and make gender inequality worse. In rural areas, things like not having internet access or support networks online can make these problems even worse. But if we focus on helping girls and young women by giving them skills and ways to make money online, we can really make a difference and improve their lives
Rising Insecurity & Crime: Limited economic prospects leave many young people in both urban and rural areas vulnerable to various forms of exploitation and criminal activities, including human trafficking, recruitment by extremist groups, involvement in gang violence, and substance abuse. These issues contribute to a pervasive sense of insecurity within communities. By empowering at-risk populations through digital inclusion initiatives, we can provide them with opportunities to engage in positive activities and create pathways toward a more secure and prosperous future.
Environmental & Food Insecurity: Despite two-thirds of Africans relying on agriculture for their livelihoods, challenges such as limited market access, outdated farming practices, and the impacts of climate change pose significant threats to rural communities' food security and environmental stability. By harnessing digital tools, we can revolutionize farming practices, enhance climate resilience, and promote sustainable management of natural resources. This approach holds the potential to improve agricultural efficiency, mitigate the effects of climate change, and ensure food security for vulnerable populations across the continent.
History of LIFA
Envision two individuals, hailing from the rural heartlands of Zimbabwe and Lesotho respectively. Though separated by diverse contexts, cultures, languages, and beliefs, they shared a common limitation – the familiar barriers posed by lack of access to technology. Kuda Chidhakwa's formative years were spent in the rural Zimbabwe area of Mutorashanga in Mashonaland Province, while Letlotlo Molotsi hailed from the remote district of Quthing in Lesotho. Despite their contrasting upbringings in two different countries, both men encountered significant challenges integrating into the rapidly evolving digital landscape of urban life.
Their shared experiences navigating the inherent marginalization that accompanies a background with virtually no technological exposure or comprehension inspired them to join forces and establish a movement aimed at redressing this pervasive issue. Chidhakwa and Molotsi's who respectively evolved into owner of tech-based
entrepreneurship, with Chidhakwas starting a successful consultancy company called The Consultant Africa and Molotsi running a content creating a company called Letlotlo Studios and Multi-media Solutions. The two men’s stories exemplify the few fortunate instances where young people from rural backgrounds successfully integrated with their technologically adept, urban peers – a stark contrast to the lifelong struggle most rural youth continually face
It was this profound realization that the two man came together and catalyzed their experiences together with their gained knowledge to birth birth an organisation that could commit its resources to address digital and tech poverty in Africa. Literacy for Africa (LIFA) – a grassroots initiative sparked into existence first in Zimbabwe in 2008 and in Lesotho in 2015 respectively due to the first-hand passion motivated by the founder’s personal experiences. The story of LIFA has inspired youth in Zimbabwe and Lesotho to band together to harness their innovation, skills and talents into a movement that will drive digital inclusion and empowerment across the African continent
It was this profound realization that the two man came together and catalyzed their experiences together with their gained knowledge to birth birth an organisation that could commit its resources to address digital and tech poverty in Africa. Literacy for Africa (LIFA) – a grassroots initiative sparked into existence first in Zimbabwe in 2008 and in Lesotho in 2015 respectively due to the first-hand passion motivated by the founder’s personal experiences. The story of LIFA has inspired youth in Zimbabwe and Lesotho to band together to harness their innovation, skills and talents into a movement that will drive digital inclusion and empowerment across the African continent
Current LIFA Information
Now a registered organization as of July 2023 LIFA’s genesis is a testament to the power of transforming individual hardships into purposeful, large-scale impact. The organization's founding narrative serves as an inspiration, galvanizing a generation of changemakers to confront systemic barriers head-on and ensure that no community remains trapped in the abyss of the digital divide.
What began as a community-centered effort to uplift youth through digital literacy skillsat individual and community levels for almost 2 decades has now blossomed into a vibrant movement championing digital inclusion across the African continent. LIFA has mobilised tech specialist youth from across the continent into a network of volunteers who now form the foundation of the organisation’s tech expetrtese. These young tech innovators have joined the call to provide their skills in a variety of tech disciplines, including coding, content creation, digital security, AI, IoT to mention a few
From its origins LIFA learned to tap into the spirit of partnership (ubuntu), galvanizing support from local stakeholders , community champions, and passionate individuals.
In 2023, this home-grown endeavor took a pivotal step forward by officially registering as a civil society organization under Lesotho's Societies Act of 1968. Immediately upon formal registration the organisation initiated a talent search, connecting with innovation hubs, tech companies, innovators and academics from countries like SouthAfrica, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Rwanda.
This network of experts have been the brains behind current developments in our programming prioritize. Despite the global scale of our specialists network, LIFA's heartbeat remains rooted in the grassroots with the main Head Quateres Office located in the community f Ha Mabote in Maseru. At the core of LIFA's main office lies the dynamic Resource Centre - a vibrant tech hub offering a meticulously selected collection of development resources, thought-provoking press articles, books on development subjects and most crucially, free internet-connected computer access. This office is open for free to the public and has given disadvantaged youth an environment ripe for digital skills acquisition, connectivity, and cross-pollination of ideas.
With an indomitable spirit and a resolute promise to Africa's 1.2 billion people, 60% of whom are youth, LIFA is scripting a new narrative of digital transformation. One nation, one region at a time, ensuring that NO ONE IS LEFT BEHIND. Our impact has started to reverberate across rural villages, urban centers, and the echelons of policymaking in Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and soon the rest of the African Continent.
Our Vision: An Africa where digital literacy and access are fundamental rights, empowering all communities to harness technology's transformative potential for sustainable development.
Our Mission: In each country where we operate, LIFA's mission is to bridge the prevailing digital divide through collaborative multi-stakeholder initiatives tailored to the local context. Our interventions equip rural and marginalized populations with essential digital skills, provide access to technological tools and resources, and establish platforms that cultivate grassroots innovation.
By creating these enabling environments, LIFA empowers underserved communities to fully participate in emerging digital economies as consumers, entrepreneurs and digital citizens. In parallel, we spearhead evidence-based advocacy efforts to influence policies that prioritize digital inclusion and rights for all.
LIFA's mission is country-specific and tailored towards our overarching vision of an Africa where digital literacy and access are fundamental rights that unlock sustainable development across the continent.