HP 2025 Digital Equity Accelerator to bridge digital divide in Nigeria, Greece, Indonesia, Spain

To bridge the global digital divide and build the future of work, HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) and the HP Foundation are launching the 2025 Digital Equity Accelerator and its call for submissions.

This year, the Accelerator has evolved to focus on equipping historically disconnected youth and adults with the critical skills needed to participate and thrive in an increasingly digital economy.

Selected nonprofit organisations will receive USD $100,000 in HP Foundation grants, HP technology (USD $100,000 value), and six-months of programmatic support to scale digital equity solutions.

For the first time, HP is offering the Accelerator programme to four countries to further expand geographic reach.

For the 2025 programme, nonprofits in Greece, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Spain, including those using AI to advance impact, are invited to apply as applications until 11:59 p.m. EST on February 12, 2025.

Global Head of Social Impact, HP Inc., and Director, HP Foundation, Michele Malejki, said “At HP, we believe in harnessing technology to drive positive, lasting change, and we are dedicated to closing the digital divide for youth and adults who have been historically disconnected from digital access so they can succeed in an increasingly competitive digital economy.

“As we enter our fourth year of the Digital Equity Accelerator, we are inspired by the progress made so far and are excited to see the innovative, AI-powered solutions that the 2025 cohort will bring forward to address digital equity challenges.”

HP is also equipping youth and adults for the digital economy, as a $1 trillion-plus digital divide is limiting billions from achieving equal access to educational and economic opportunities.

Through the Digital Equity Accelerator, HP aims to create a more equitable world through access to technology, digital literacy & AI, and quality skills content.

The Accelerator helps organisations strengthen capacity and scale impact for digital equity solutions, particularly among people who are traditionally excluded.

Since 2022, Accelerator alumni have driven progress for many, advancing digital equity for educators, women, and disconnected youth, among others.

Speaking on the 2025 programme countries, Malejki said HP is driving digital equity in Greece, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Spain

Malejki said HP has strategically selected countries to address specific digital equity gaps.

According to Malejki, these countries represent diverse challenges in digital equity, aligning with HP’s commitment to foster global digital inclusion.

Malejki said Greece faces significant digital skill gaps, particularly among refugees, with only 52% of the population equipped with basic digital skills.

According to BPS data for 2023, 25.80 per cent of Indonesian youth are classified as Not in Education, Employment, or Training, with female youth facing double the unemployment rate compared to their male counterparts.

Malejki said this underscores the urgent need to address the digital skills gap and empower young Indonesians to thrive in the digital era.

Malejki noted that Nigeria, despite having Africa’s largest Information and Communications Technology (ICT) market, only has 28 per cent of its population using the internet, leaving many youth without employment or education opportunities.

While Spain ranks high in digital skills, Malejki said there are still disparities, particularly among children and older generations, leaving gaps in access and job readiness for underserved communities.

The growing digital divide continues to reshape education and economic landscapes, impacting the future workforce and overall societal inclusion.

According to the Global Education Coalition (GEC) report (2024), significant challenges persist despite progress in digital equality, educational shortfalls as well as gender and regional disparities.

Malejki stated: ” A vast proportion of schools globally remain unconnected, with only 40 per cent of primary, 50 per cent of lower secondary, and 65 per cent of upper secondary schools having internet access, leaving millions of students without essential online resources.

“More than one in five (23.5 per cent) young people (aged 15-24) are not in education, employment or training, while only 45 per cent of lower secondary teachers feel adequately trained to integrate technology into their teaching, even after receiving ICT training.

” In Africa, only 36 per cent of the population has internet access, with women being 16 per cent less likely than men to use mobile internet, highlighting the need for gender-equitable solutions.”

According the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs (2023), the skilled workforce is still diminishing, leaving employers without access to the talent needed to fill needed jobs.

Speaking on global talent shortages, Malejki cautioned that by 2030, the global economy could face a shortage of over 85 million skilled workers, potentially leading to an $8.5 trillion shortfall in annual revenues if not addressed.

Malejki referenced a recent report, which stated yhatv investing in AI-skilling for women and girls can unlock a staggering $212 billion for the global economy.