Rethinking "Digital Skills" in Development

Digital literacy is often hailed as the key to breaking poverty cycles—especially in developing countries. Governments and NGOs invest in internet access, device distribution, and training programs. The logic is simple: teach people to use technology, and economic empowerment will follow.

But is it really that simple?

The Missing Link

Most digital initiatives focus on access and basic skills—typing, coding, using AI tools. Yet many participants, though technically “skilled,” remain passive users. They scroll, watch, and consume—but rarely create or solve real problems. The third level of the digital divide—outcomes—remains largely untouched. Without it, digital empowerment turns into digital dependency.

From Consumers to Creators

True impact demands more than skill drills. It requires cultivating critical thinking, problem-solving, and a self-starting mindset. A study in Togo shows that nurturing these traits leads to greater and longer-lasting success than conventional training.

If we want equitable digital societies, we must teach not just how to use technology, but how to think with it.

For changemakers, this calls for a paradigm shift:

• Move from teaching tools to fostering thinking

• Integrate critical reflection and adaptive learning into digital programs

• Redefine success beyond access and skill metrics

👉 Read the full article to explore how development programs can redefine “digital skills” for real-world impact.