This is expected to open new pathways for workers seeking employment in an increasingly interconnected labour market Kenya is set to lead the first national implementation of Masterkey, a digital platform designed to make qualifications, skills and work experience easier to verify and share across African borders.
This is expected to open new pathways for workers seeking employment in an increasingly interconnected labour market. The platform was unveiled on Monday in New York during a high-level Accra Reset convening held on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
President William Ruto is championing the Kenyan implementation, with the first application planned as a skills and work wallet accessible through eCitizen, with core access and sharing free to citizens. Masterkey is intended to allow training institutions and employers to issue verifiable digital records that workers can hold and selectively share with prospective employers, recruitment platforms and institutions.
This means qualifications earned in Kenya, work experience gained abroad or references from overseas clients can become part of a portable career record. “Talent should be portable. Skills should be trusted, and opportunity should cross borders,’’ Ruto said. “A qualification or work record issued in Nairobi should be verified in Accra, Kigali and ultimately wherever opportunity exists.” The initiative, which is part of Accra Reset, is not intended to replace employers or professional regulators.
The initiative comes as African countries seek to turn their youthful populations and growing digital economies into greater employment opportunities. According to Accra Reset, the first phase targets 150,000 placements across Ghana, Rwanda and Kenya, with women expected to account for 70 per cent of placements.