In January 2024, as part of my internship at the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST), I was placed at Kwathu Kollective. Our challenge was both exciting and daunting: to revamp an existing website, DigiSavvvy, into what is now known as Digital Skills for Africa (DSA).
We started as a team of eight, and to my surprise, I was voted Project Lead. Leadership was something I had always avoided back at school. I never saw myself as “the leader type.” But my teammates believed in me, and their trust pushed me to step up. It was a collective decision to have me as a leader, and I embraced the challenge.
What is DSA?
Digital Skills for Africa (DSA) is an online learning platform designed to equip young people, entrepreneurs, and professionals across the continent with essential digital skills. Its mission is to make high-quality, practical training accessible and affordable, helping individuals gain the knowledge needed to thrive in the modern, tech-driven economy. Through curated courses, resources, and a user-friendly interface, DSA aims to close the digital skills gap, promote self-reliance, and open new opportunities for income generation and career growth.
The Challenges of Leading & Building
Being a project lead was not easy. I had to take everyones thoughts into consideration all the time before making a judgement. The site faced several challenges, especially with payments. Thanks to PayChangu, transactions in our host country Malawi became much easier. However, for users in other countries, payment options were limited to bank transfers. Many local students in their respective countries preferred mobile money, something we couldn’t fully integrate at the time.
Then came another hurdle: finding clients. Generating income was much harder than expected. That’s where I truly got my first hands-on experience in business development. We learned to market ourselves better, reach out to potential customers, and find ways to make the platform work. It was tough, but we made progress.
Why I Still Believe in DSA
Some people say DSA “failed.” I don’t see it that way. I still believe in what Digital Skills for Africa stands for — bridging the knowledge gap. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the biggest barrier to thriving is often a lack of information and skills. Projects like DSA have the potential to change that, and I feel a personal responsibility to keep advocating for the mission it represents.
For me, this experience was not just about web development or payments integration it was about leadership, resilience, and the power of belief in a vision.