The government’s One Million Coders Programme is being positioned not just as a skills initiative, but as a pathway to jobs and entrepreneurship, with a dedicated innovation hub in Navrongo set to anchor business incubation for trainees.
The Upper East Regional Manager of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIIF), Martin Aberba, said a strong entrepreneurial component has been integrated into the training to ensure beneficiaries can turn digital skills into sustainable income.
Speaking on A1 Radio’s Day Break Upper East on Thursday, April 16, 2026, Aberba said the Regional Innovation Centre in Navrongo, currently under renovation, will serve as a key hub for nurturing start-ups.
“We have an entrepreneurial component where we train participants to start their own IT businesses,” he said. “After acquiring the skills, the next question is: how do you use those skills to make money? That is what we are deliberately addressing.”
According to him, the Navrongo facility will include a business incubation centre to support graduates with mentorship, practical guidance and tools needed to launch their own ventures. “The Regional Innovation Centre will handle that aspect, helping them translate skills into viable businesses,” he said.
Beyond entrepreneurship, Aberba said the government is also creating employment pathways through partnerships with industry players. “One agency has agreed to take up to 100,000 trained participants and employ them in IT-related roles,” he said. “Discussions are ongoing with another agency expected to absorb about 100,000 more.”
He said the dual approach, linking trainees to jobs while equipping them to build their own enterprises, is central to the programme’s long-term impact. “Apart from direct employment, we are also focusing on how they can start their own IT businesses after completion,” he added.
Aberba expressed optimism about the sector’s capacity to absorb large numbers, noting that the digital economy still offers significant untapped opportunities. “The good thing about IT is that it is not overcrowded. There is space for everybody,” he said. “Even if we train millions, there will still be opportunities for them to work.”
He added that interest from both public and private sector institutions continues to grow, indicating strong support for the initiative. “A lot of agencies are showing interest in partnering with us, which is a good sign for the future of the programme,” he said.
The integration of skills training, entrepreneurship and job placement, he said, is designed to ensure beneficiaries are not only employable but also capable of driving innovation and economic growth in their communities.
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