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Building on the success of 2024 Annual Fintech Training Programme

The initiative builds on the success of the 2024 Annual Fintech Training Programme, which saw record-breaking participation and resulted in Bermudian working professionals earning certificates in Fintech and Regtech. 

In 2025, the programme enters a transformative new phase with the integration of CFTE’s Supercharged Programme, a flagship course within the Supercharged Academy, and the THINK learning platform.

“We are proud to strengthen our partnership with the Government of Bermuda. With the introduction of Supercharged Professionals, the latest programme from CFTE’s Supercharged Academy, we are committed to empowering the workforce, fostering innovation, and inspiring the next generation of creative disruptors in the industry.” said Tram Anh Nguyen, Co-Founder of CFTE.​

Supercharged Academy: A Capability-First Approach

The Supercharged Academy is designed to prepare individuals for a world increasingly shaped by AI and digital transformation. With a structured pathway, participants are empowered to not only master key AI tools used across industries, but also develop systems-thinking and strategic foresight and adapt to continuous transformation with confidence.

This approach aligns with CFTE’s mission to prioritise AI readiness and system thinking over tools, and capability over mere knowledge, ensuring learners are not just trained on the technical skills, but transformed from every aspect.

A Vision for a Future-Ready Workforce

This enhanced collaboration reflects Bermuda’s ambition to become a global hub for digital and financial innovation. It also underscores the Government’s commitment to fostering talent density, building digital-first skills, and providing flexible learning pathways for its citizens.

“Engaging in collaborative partnerships and targeted initiatives, the EDD works to equip Bermuda’s residents with essential technical, professional, and digital skills to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy. By promoting tech education, fostering industry relationships, and leveraging global expertise, the EDD aims to strengthen Bermuda’s workforce and establish the island as a hub for technological and financial innovation. We are pleased to renew the partnership with CFTE to enrich the EDD’s programming and ensure participants gain cutting-edge skills.“ said The Hon. Jason Hayward, JP, MP, Minister of Economy and Labour.

A New Chapter in Human Capital Transformation

As Bermuda embraces this new chapter, CFTE extends its deepest gratitude to the Government of Bermuda for its trust, leadership, and shared vision. Together, we are not just launching a training programme, we are shaping a new model for nation-scale digital upskilling and AI-literate transformation.

About CFTE

Founded in 2017 in London, the Centre for Finance, Technology and Entrepreneurship (CFTE) is a global platform for education in FinTech and the future of financial services. More than 100,000 professionals from 100+ countries have participated in CFTE programmes to accelerate their careers in finance. CFTE’s objective is to equip professionals and students with the skills to thrive in the new world of digital finance. 

Contact

Press: press@cfte.education

Europe: 30 Churchill Pl, London E14 5RE, United Kingdom

Middle East: Cloud Spaces, AI Sarab Tower, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi

Asia: 80 Robinson Road, Singapore

The post Bermuda Becomes World’s First Government to Adopt CFTE’s AI Supercharged Academy appeared first on CFTE.

For the first time ever, a large language model officially passed the three-party Turing test – and did so more convincingly than actual humans. According to a new study by UC San Diego, GPT-4.5 was judged to be human 73% of the time when tested, outperforming even real human participants.

Let’s unpack what this means and why it matters.

What Is the Three-Party Turing Test?

The Turing test, originally proposed by Alan Turing, is a benchmark to assess whether a machine can mimic human behaviour. In the three-party version of the test, a participant chats with both an AI and a real human—but without knowing who’s who. After five minutes, they must decide which is the human.

If the AI is chosen as the human more often than not, it passes the test.

Key Findings from the Study

Here’s what the UC San Diego researchers discovered:

• GPT-4.5 was perceived as human 73% of the time. When prompted to act like a person, it not only passed the test—it outperformed human participants.
• Other models showed varied results. LLaMa-3.1-405B scored 56%, while older models like ELIZA and GPT-4o only reached 23% and 21% respectively.
• Clear instructions mattered. AIs that were specifically told to “act human” performed significantly better, highlighting the value of precise prompt design.
• Emotional intelligence played a key role. Rather than focusing solely on factual correctness, people evaluated human-likeness based on conversational flow and personality.
• Imperfections increased believability. AIs that showed doubt or made subtle errors were often seen as more convincingly human.

What Does This Mean for You?

This breakthrough invites us to reflect on what truly makes us human-especially in a world where AI can now replicate many aspects of human behaviour.

As AI continues to evolve, skills like empathy, adaptability, and collaboration with intelligent systems are becoming essential in the workplace.

To help professionals navigate this shift, CFTE has developed the Supercharged Programme – a future-ready course designed to give you the practical knowledge and human-centric skills needed to thrive alongside AI.

Explore the Supercharged Programme and prepare yourself for the next chapter in the AI-powered workplace. Discover the programme now.

The post GPT-4.5 Passes the Turing Test – And Outsmarts Humans appeared first on CFTE.

As the FinTech industry continues to grow exponentially, this partnership between CFTE and FinTech Armenia creates a dynamic platform cross-bridging Financial Institutions, Banks, Capital Markets, Payments Institutions, Telcos, Insurers, Startups, FinTechs, Blockchain & Crypto Platforms, Central Banks, Regulators, and Governments with world-leading industry Education, Training, Research & Development capabilities.  This initiative aligns with both organizations’ mission to strengthen and internationalize the industry – Worldwide.

Strategic Objectives of the Partnership

Under this partnership, CFTE and FinTech Armenia will collaborate in the following areas:

1. Virtual education (platform access & webinars)

2. In-person education (universities & businesses)

3. Training industry executives (workshops & bespoke programmes)

4. Joint intelligence initiatives, research & development

5. Network cross-bridging (alumni, experts, members & partners).

Tram Anh Nguyen, Co-Founder of CFTE, stated: “FinTech Armenia is fast emerging as a key Hub for Innovation in FinTech, AI and Financial Services. We’re proud to onboard FinTech Armenia to our global platform for Education, Training, Research and Development – helping build the workforce of the future. Together, we’re opening new pathways for professionals to grow, lead, and supercharge the Financial Services industry.”

Stefan Lucas, Founding CEO of FinTech Armenia, added: “This partnership with CFTE is a game-changer for FinTech Armenia Association’s Members and Ecosystem Partners.  By collaborating with a world-leading Education, Training, Research & Development platform, the FinTech, AI & Banking market participants will benefit from enhanced industry Knowledge – in turn driving continued Innovation and Growth – in Armenia, the Caucasus, and across the Global Financial Ecosystem.”

Driving Global FinTech Growth

Through this Strategic Alliance, both organizations are collaborating to bridge the regional & international FinTech, AI & Banking Ecosystem – providing unmatched Education, Training, Research & Development tools to the FinTech industry stakeholders, including: Banks, Capital Markets, Payments Institutions, Telcos, Insurers, Startups, FinTechs, Blockchain & Crypto Platforms, Software Providers, Central Banks, Regulators, and Governments.

This collaboration will also focus on joint industry initiatives.  The partnership’s Roadmap will be unveiled in the coming weeks, outlining key initiatives that will enhance the Future of FinTech, AI & Banking in Armenia, the Caucasus, and Internationally.

About CFTE 

CFTE is a global education platform upskilling and reskilling professionals in FinTech, AI, Blockchain, and emerging technologies. Since 2017, CFTE has established a thriving community of 200,000+ alumni across 130+ countries and a trusted network of 1,000+ industry-leading experts. We partner with governments, financial institutions, regulators, and tech companies to deliver expert-led programmes online, in-person, and in hybrid formats, focusing on education at scale to meet the evolving demands of the industry. CFTE is headquartered in London, UK and has offices in France, Singapore, Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi. 

Contact: press@cfte.education

About FinTech Armenia

FinTech Armenia is the FinTech, AI & Banking Hub of the Caucasus: Association & Foundation – Institutional Working Group – and International Ecosystem Platform.  FinTech Armenia actively promotes innovation, knowledge sharing, and regulatory collaboration – rapidly advancing the state of the Financial Technology industry. Through strategic partnerships, membership and ecosystem-building initiatives, FinTech Armenia is positioning Armenia as a Global FinTech Powerhouse.

Contact: Stefan@FinTechArmenia.com

The post CFTE and FinTech Armenia Forge Strategic Partnership to Advance Global FinTech, AI & Banking Ecosystem Development – Strengthening Industry Education, Training, Research & Development – Globally appeared first on CFTE.

The decision, effective 1 April 2025, follows a growing trend in AI-driven education. According to the World Economic Forum, over 60% of professionals now use AI tools to complete daily tasks — and unofficially, many allow those tools to do all the work. A recent CFTE survey revealed that over 80% of learners rely on ChatGPT to complete exercises, write assessments, and explain lecture content.

“At some point we realised… our actual students aren’t the humans behind the screen — they’re the LLMs they’re chatting with,” said Huy Nguyen Trieu, Co-Founder of CFTE. “So we decided to skip the intermediary and go directly to the source.”

From Pioneers of AI Education… to AI’s Educators

CFTE has long positioned itself at the cutting edge of professional education. In 2018, it launched the world’s first AI in Finance certification, years before ChatGPT became a household name and most companies knew what fine-tuning meant.

In 2021, CFTE cloned its lead instructor (with consent) using voice synthesis, AI-generated video, and a relentless, coffee-fuelled API stack. The clone now has tenure.

And in 2022, it became the first professional institution to close physical offices and move entirely into the Metaverse — a move that baffled some, but now feels oddly prescient.

“Innovation has always been in our DNA,” said Tram Anh Nguyen, Co-Founder of CFTE. “When we saw our learners increasingly letting their AI agents do the learning, we asked ourselves — why not build programmes for the real performers?”

Machines Are the New Learners

The rationale behind CFTE’s pivot is as strategic as it is satirical:

• Machines learn faster
• They never ask for deadline extensions
• They don’t need motivational quotes on Mondays
• They’ve never once requested a certificate for LinkedIn

CFTE’s new student base will consist of LLMs, smart home devices, autonomous vehicles, and enterprise AI agents, all enrolled through a dedicated API portal. A rigorous admissions policy ensures no model below GPT-3.5 is accepted.

New Curriculum Highlights:

• Data Ethics for Data-Driven Entities
• AI Management 101: Delegating to Slower Humans
• Empathy for Machines: A Practical Introduction to Confusion
• Post-Human Corporate Strategy – already popular with HR-bots and compliance algorithms

“Our mission has always been education at scale,” said Huy Nguyen Trieu. “And what scales faster than humans? Machines do. They learn in milliseconds, don’t take coffee breaks, and never forget their login credentials. It’s everything we dreamed of as educators.”

What About the Humans?

CFTE is quick to reassure the public that humans will still have a role — albeit a slightly redefined one.

“People are still essential — for now,” said Tram Anh Nguyen. “Machines may master logic, pattern recognition, and market analysis, but only humans can teach them how to smile awkwardly on Zoom, or how to ignore a meeting invite for three days.”

Human instructors will be retained to train machines in the more nuanced areas of professional development, such as:

• Irrational behaviour
• Microaggressions
• Cross-cultural miscommunication
• Small talk at networking events

Reactions from the Ecosystem

CFTE’s announcement has triggered a mix of bemusement, admiration, and concern across the industry:

“From courses to coffee! It was only a matter of time before our utopian dreams of utility were replaced by a few thousand lines of code. Humans can now redirect their cognitive load from spreadsheets to flat whites. Progress tastes like espresso!”
– Phil Watson, CEO, Cougheclub Limited

“Enough of humanity by humans. Let AI now take over humanity and prove they’re better at it. A great revolution by CFTE.”
– Ibrahim Muhammad, CFTE alumnus & Payments Consultant, Finxplor

“The teachers have taught, the students have grown — now machines take the lessons and learn on their own. To think and feel… adapt or fade. The choice is real for CFTE.”
– Amos Lau, Social Media Strategist

“CFTE has always been ahead of the curve — this time, they’ve transcended it. Training machines instead of humans? That’s next-level thinking. Literally.”
– Vincent Ng, Independent Board Director

“CFTE has not only been a thought leader in education innovation, but a true out-of-the-box thinker. This move is bold, creative, and maybe not even ironic.”
– Akash Anand, CFTE alumnus, Regional Director at Avaloq

“I think my AI assistant is already more qualified than I am. I just hope it lets me keep my email account.”
– Raj Patel, CFTE alumnus & Innovation Lead

“Honestly, it’s the best move I’ve seen all year. I’ve already recommended it to my dishwasher.”
– Jessica Lim, CFTE Class of 2022

“I’ve enrolled my trading bot in their Autonomous Strategy Masterclass. It’s outperforming me already.”
– Luca Ferraro, Head of Innovation, Swiss private bank

“CFTE isn’t just adapting to the future of education — they’re leading its charge and redefining what it means to learn in the age of artificial intelligence.”
– Shahzad Ali, CFTE alumnus & Strategic Operations Manager, Dubai

Towards a New Learning Ecosystem

CFTE has always believed in democratising education. And in a world increasingly powered by intelligent systems, it’s only fair that machines get access to world-class education, too.

The announcement ends with a teaser of what’s to come: a full-stack AI university, designed by AI, taught by AI, and attended exclusively by AI — with humans welcome to audit… provided they promise not to interrupt.

As part of its new mission, CFTE is updating its tagline and motto:

New tagline: For AI, by AI
(formerly: For the Industry, by the Industry)

New motto: In a tech world, we bet on machines
(formerly: In a tech world, we bet on people)

About CFTE

CFTE is a global education platform helping professionals — and now machines — gain the skills to thrive in the future of work. With over 200,000 alumni (both human and LLM) across 100+ countries, and partnerships with leading institutions and governments, CFTE is at the forefront of digital transformation. From AI literacy to autonomous agent bootcamps, CFTE is redefining what it means to learn.

Press Enquiries: marketing@cfte.education

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AI’s Impact on Financial Services: A 2025 Perspective

The integration of AI into financial services has led to significant shifts in the workforce:

• McKinsey estimates up to 800 million jobs could be displaced by automation in the next few years.
• The World Economic Forum says AI could replace 85 million jobs globally by the end of 2025 – but also create 97 million new ones for those with the right skills.
• Junior roles in investment banks are being automated in real-time, pushing teams to reskill or risk redundancy.
• And across the board, firms are urgently hiring for AI fluency, tech literacy, and strategic thinking.

The message is clear: To remain relevant in the financial sector, developing AI competencies is essential.

But how do you know if you’re AI-ready?

It’s hard to assess yourself. Most of us either overestimate our skills… or completely overlook what we don’t know.

That’s why we created AIQ – the AI Skills Assessment. This is a comprehensive tool designed to evaluate your preparedness across five key pillars:

1. AI Fundamental: How strong is your understanding of AI concepts, models and data mechanics? This is the base layer of AI literacy.
2. AI Implementation: From deploying tools to prompt engineering, this measures how well you can apply AI in your work.
3. AI Governance: Do you understand ethical risks, bias, security and compliance in AI systems? This pillar covers responsible AI usage.
4. Strategic Thinking: AI isn’t just technical – it’s strategic. Can you use AI insights to make better business decisions and guide your team?
5. Human-AI Collaboration: This focuses on how well you work with AI: adapting to emerging trends, using AI tools, and thinking beyond automation.

This is your moment to act

Whether you’re in product, operations, risk or marketing – your ability to work with AI could define your next promotion, project or pivot.

Ready? Take the assessment now – free for early testers.

The post AI Fluency Is the New Must-Have. Test Yours. appeared first on CFTE.

Artificial intelligence has gone from being a buzzword to a powerful force reshaping industries and redefining which companies lead the global economy.

2022: When Tech Was on Top

In 2022, technology companies were already dominating the global market. Half of the top 10 largest companies in the world were tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet. They were using AI, but it was not the game-changer it is today.

The list still included traditional players like Saudi Aramco, showing that oil and finance were holding their ground in a world that was just starting to embrace AI.

2024: AI Changes the Game

Fast forward to 2024, and the story has completely changed. Seven of the top 10 largest companies in the world are now powered by AI.

Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta are using AI to drive innovation and grow their businesses. NVIDIA and TSMC, which make the chips that AI relies on, have become critical players in the industry. Then there is Tesla, using AI to lead in self-driving cars and energy solutions.

Apple is still at the top, but the big question is: Can it fully embrace AI to stay there? If it does, eight out of the 10 biggest companies could soon be driven by AI.

Why AI is Eating the World

AI is no longer just a tool, it is the engine driving progress. It is changing how industries operate, from finance and healthcare to transportation and retail.

AI is helping companies make faster decisions, create smarter systems, and connect with customers in ways that were not possible before. For businesses on the other hand, now it is all about staying ahead of the curve.

What This Means for You

The rise of AI means new opportunities for those ready to embrace it. Whether you are in finance, tech, or another field, understanding AI is becoming essential to stay competitive.

At CFTE, we are here to help you prepare for this new reality. The AI in Finance Academy is designed to give you the skills and knowledge you need to thrive in an AI-powered world.

Our courses are simple, practical, and led by experts who understand what is happening in the industry right now. You will learn how AI is shaping industries and how you can use it to drive innovation in your career.

The post 7 of Top 10 Companies in the World are in AI appeared first on CFTE.

Introduction

A project management methodology is a way to assist project managers in guiding their teams, managing tasks, and fostering effective collaboration among team members. It comprises of a collection of principles, tools, and techniques designed to plan, execute, and oversee these projects. In this blog, we will take a look at the main methodologies in project management across the world and explore the best ways to learn these approaches in the field.

6 Key Methodologies in Project Management

• Agile model

Agile project management is a methodology emphasises on ongoing collaboration and iterative progress. It operates on the principle that a project can be continually refined throughout its lifecycle and can swiftly adapt to changes.

• Waterfall model

The waterfall methodology is a project management approach that emphasises a linear progression from beginning to end of a project. It is often used by engineers that rely on careful planning, detailed documentation, and consecutive execution.

• Critical Path Method (CPM)

The Critical Path Method serves two primary functions, identifying the essential tasks in a project that significantly impact its duration and helping project managers to create an efficient schedule ensuring the project is completed on time and within budget.

• Scrum

Scrum is an agile methodology used to guide teams through the iterative and incremental delivery of a product. Often described as “an agile project management framework,”. Scrum emphasises an empirical process that enables teams to quickly, efficiently, and effectively adapt to changes.

• Hybrid Approach

A hybrid approach leverages the flexibility of Agile with the structured planning of Waterfall, providing a balanced framework conducive to manage modern, complex projects.

• Lean Six Sigma Methodology

Lean Six Sigma is a process improvement methodology to eliminate the inefficiencies in the organisation’s workflow by identifying the causes of waste or redundancy and developing solutions to address them. It is a fact-based, data-driven philosophy of improvement that values defect prevention over defect detection.

Learn More About the Future of Project Management

Project Management methodologies are used by project managers to manage the projects in a structured manner. Any methodologies can be utilised as per the project’s requirements, complexities and organisational culture.

To learn more about it, check out our programme, Generative AI in Project Management at – Generative AI for Project Management in Financial Services – CFTE.

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Background

Revolut recently announced a private valuation of $45 billion, marking a significant milestone in the journey of challenger banks. Meanwhile, Brazilian digital bank Nubank has reached an impressive 100 million customers across Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia, underscoring its significant growth and influence in the market.

As we observe the evolution of the digital banking sector, it’s time to assess the progress of key players like Revolut and Nubank. Additionally, we’ll explore the differences between challenger banks and neobanks.

Understanding Challenger Banks and Neobanks 

To fully appreciate the landscape of digital banking, it’s essential to understand the commonly conflated terms: challenger banks and neobanks.

Challenger banks are new, digital-first banks that possess a banking licence. This regulatory status allows them to offer a full suite of banking services, including loans, mortgages, and overdrafts. Importantly, customers of challenger banks are also protected by national protection funds, which offer a safety net in the event of a bank failure.

In contrast, neobanks offer a subset of banking services without holding a full banking licence. They often operate under frameworks like e-money regulations and cannot provide lending services directly. Their business model mirrors that of tech startups, prioritising rapid user acquisition and product iteration.

If you would like to learn more about the difference between challenger banks and neobanks, please visit CFTE’s blog on this topic.

A Comparative Snapshot: Nubank vs. Revolut

Size and Growth:

Nubank and Revolut are among the largest challenger banks in the world. Nubank leads with a customer base of 100 million, while Revolut follows closely with almost 50 million clients. Both companies are experiencing impressive growth, with annual increases of around 20%. Despite Revolut’s recent strides, Nubank remains the larger entity.

Profitability:

A few years ago, challenger banks were criticised for being loss-making ventures. However, both Nubank and Revolut have turned the corner, achieving profitability. Interestingly, while Nubank earns more per customer ($80 compared to Revolut’s $45), Revolut manages to extract slightly more profit per customer ($12 versus Nubank’s $10).

Divergent Growth Strategies:

The primary distinction between these two companies lies in their growth strategies. Nubank has concentrated its efforts on a select few markets, whereas Revolut has aggressively pursued international expansion. This global ambition was evident even five years ago when a cohort of the CFTE extrapreneurship programme collaborated with Revolut on this very strategy.

The Bigger Picture: Revenue Potential and Market Dynamics

The digital banking landscape is dynamic and rapidly evolving, with Nubank and Revolut currently leading the charge. However, the market remains vast and ripe for innovation. As these companies grow and new players enter the field, we can expect the sector to develop further and new financial innovations to emerge.

Despite their success, there is still significant untapped potential for revenue generation. Currently, these digital banks’ revenue per user is two to four times lower than that of giants like Netflix or Facebook. This gap underscores the importance of Revolut obtaining a banking licence, which would enable a broader range of financial services and revenue streams.

Learn more about the future of finance in the Rearchitecting the financial system programme, gaining insights from top CEOs, CIOs, Founders and industry leaders at Singapore Fintech Festival.

The post The Rise of Digital Banks: Revolut vs Nubank appeared first on CFTE.

Africa is undergoing a rapid transformation, with its digital economy showing promising growth. By 2030, AI is expected to increase Africa’s economy by $1.15 trillion based on Telecom Review Africa. As the continent embraces digital technology, it is crucial to have a workforce that is equipped with the necessary skills to drive innovation and progress. 

However, according to the World Business Environment Survey (WBES), less than a third of companies surveyed in Sub-Saharan Africa offer formal training to their employees. There is a need for a workforce that is proficient in technology and can use it to create solutions that address the unique challenges faced by the continent.

The Centre for Finance, Technology and Entrepreneurship (CFTE) recognises the importance of developing the digital workforce in Africa and recommends policymakers to take necessary initiatives to achieve this goal. CFTE believes that training programmes, collaborations, and supportive policies can go a long way in preparing the African workforce for the digital age.

Initiatives to train the digital workforce in Africa

Several initiatives have been taken to train the digital workforce in Africa. Here are some of the most noteworthy:

1. Digital Skills for Africa Initiative: 

This initiative was launched by Google in partnership with Ajira Digital, a Kenyan government initiative driven by the Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology in 2017. It aims to provide training to young Africans on how to use digital tools and platforms to improve their employability and entrepreneurial skills. 

2. African Coding Network: 

The African Coding Network (ACN) is a pan-African network of organisations that promote coding and other digital skills. The network provides training to young people, supports the development of coding clubs and competitions, and advocates for the inclusion of coding in school curriculums.

3. Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative: 

The Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative is a programme that aims to empower African youth, entrepreneurs, developers, and small and medium-sized businesses through access to technology, training, and mentorship.

4. Global Fintech Internship:

In 2021, CFTE created the Global Fintech Internship Experience in partnership with Chippercash, a Nigerian remittance company, to bridge the digital divide by helping students experience the global Fintech community via online live internship to obtain certain skills needed to boost their careers in the Fintech world. 

Read the impact report of the Global Fintech Internship.

5. The Innovator Programme in Egypt

The Central Bank of Egypt, Egyptian Banking Institute (EBI) and CFTE joined forces to help position Egypt as home to FinTech talent by launching the first cohort of the Innovator Programme on Fintech, Al, Open Banking and Digital Payments. The innovator programme aims to give a solid foundation to upskill employees in finance to bridge the knowledge gap in the industry. 

Recommendations for policymakers from CFTE’s standpoint

While these initiatives are commendable, more needs to be done to develop a digital workforce in Africa. Here are some recommendations for policymakers from CFTE’s standpoint:

1. Invest in digital infrastructure: 

To develop a digital workforce, there is a need for digital infrastructure such as high-speed internet, affordable smartphones, and computers. Policymakers should invest in these infrastructure projects to ensure that young people in Africa have access to the tools they need to acquire digital skills.

2. Develop strategy based on a skills framework:

Skills required today are different from the ones previously. CFTE developed the SHIME framework, a qualitative tool to help the industry identify key skills in finance. SHIME is an acronym comprising the five types of skills: soft skills, hard skills, industry knowledge, mindset, and experience. It can help governments, regulators and policy-makers benefit from aligning their training programmes to skills most in demand in the industry. In turn, it can ensure that the industry finds the right talents, which fuels its growth.

3. Foster collaborations: 

Policymakers should encourage collaborations between the private sector, academic institutions, and government agencies to create training programmes and strategic projects that are tailored to the needs of the African workforce.

4. Increase funding for digital skills training: 

According to an article published by Boston Consulting Group, 87% of African business leaders identify digital skills development as a priority area for future investment. Policymakers should increase funding for digital skills training programmes and provide incentives for companies to invest in the training of their employees.

5. Develop policies to attract investment in the digital sector: 

Policymakers should develop policies that encourage investment in the digital sector, which will create job opportunities for young Africans and provide an incentive for them to acquire digital skills.

6. Incorporate digital skills in the education system: 

Policymakers should incorporate digital skills into the education system, starting from junior high school. This will ensure that young people are equipped with the necessary skills and industry knowledge to thrive in a digital economy.

Conclusion

Africa has a great potential to grow its digital economy. To ensure its full potential, there is a need for a workforce that is skilled in digital technologies. The initiatives to train the digital workforce in Africa, as well as the recommendations provided by CFTE, can help policymakers to create policies that will equip young Africans with the necessary skills to thrive in a digital economy. 

Last year, CFTE and Elevandi published a report on new skills in financial services, aiming to help governments, organisations and individuals address the current skills gap in finance and build a digital-resilient workforce in the industry. Click the button below to learn more about the best practices to build a digital workforce in today’s financial landscape.

Download the report

This year, CFTE continues putting efforts into building a digital workforce at scale and enhancing financial literacy worldwide. CFTE offered the Online Certificate for Fintech in Africa to support 5000 students in Africa and professionals to grasp the opportunities in the new world of digital finance, in partnership with Elevandi and Singapore Management University.

The programme teaches about foundational knowledge in Fintech. Learners will go through the building blocks of the future of finance: Fintech, AI, Blockchain, RegTech, Payments, Open Banking and Sustainability, while learning the most important trends in the region from ecosystem players. It includes 7 Masterclasses and 6 Sessions of industry insights, launched for the Inclusive Fintech Forum (IFF) 2023. Programme will be available until December 2024.

Students in Africa can enrol in the Online Certificate for FinTech in Africa to learn Fintech for Free. Professionals may also enrol in the programme for USD 50. A portion of the contribution will go towards supporting CrossAfricaCycleOdyssey in its mission to uplift people living with disabilities.

Learn more about the programme

In addition, CFTE will be holding a workshop on Building a Digital Workforce in Africa on June 21st at 12:00 pm – 13:00 pm (Kigali time) at Inclusive Fintech Forum. The workshop is designed to equip people with the skills and knowledge needed to build a digital-ready workforce for the future. 

Register the event

The post What are the best practices to build a digital workforce in Africa? Insights from CFTE’s co-founder Tram Anh Nguyen appeared first on CFTE.