By Ayomide Otitoju
JA Africa has launched a major digital literacy and online safety initiative across Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, supported by US$1.5 million in funding from Google.org. The programme aims to strengthen digital skills and safety awareness among children, teachers and parents as internet access rapidly expands across the region.
Under the new initiative, JA Africa will implement Google’s Be Internet Awesome (BIA) curriculum, with a target of training 250,000 children aged 7–15, 6,000 teachers, and 8,000 parents and caregivers by 2027. The curriculum covers key areas such as cyberbullying, privacy, responsible behaviour online and media literacy.
Despite rising connectivity, many children in Sub-Saharan Africa are entering digital spaces with limited protection or awareness. Studies in Nigeria show that more than 70% of children aged 6–12 use the internet but lack basic online safety skills—a trend mirrored in Ghana, Kenya and South Africa where cyberbullying, harassment and exploitation continue to pose risks.
Simi Nwogugu, CEO of JA Africa, said the programme comes at a critical time. “As digital connectivity becomes the foundation of modern life in Africa, our children must be equipped not only to participate, but to be protected. With funding from Google.org, we are helping young people turn access into opportunity.”
Google’s BIA programme uses interactive lessons and its online game, Interland, to teach digital safety in an engaging and accessible way. Alessia Scarpellini, Senior Program Manager at Google.org, said the initiative will help children “explore the internet with confidence and care,” adding that Google.org’s support builds on JA Africa’s community-based model.
The roll-out will include school workshops, teacher training and community outreach to ensure broad access, including in rural and underserved areas. The initiative aligns with national child-protection strategies and ICT-in-education policies across the four participating countries.
Awareness campaigns and participation in events like Safer Internet Day 2026 will further broaden its reach. JA Africa and Google.org will also collaborate with relevant ministries to embed the curriculum into school systems for long-term sustainability.
“This underscores the power of collaboration in safeguarding Africa’s future generation,” Nwogugu said. “When governments, educators, families, and the private sector work together, we can build a safer, more inclusive digital Africa for every child.”
