Kia has embarked on establishing an information technology (IT) education infrastructure to promote the independence of African youth.
On the 23rd (local time), Kia opened an IT education center for local youth at a national school in Bingerville, Côte d’Ivoire, and began its full operation. This education center was established as part of Kia’s global social contribution initiative, the ‘Green Light Project’.
The opening ceremony was attended by local government officials, representatives from the South Korean embassy in Côte d’Ivoire, and officials from Kia headquarters and the international aid organization Helping Hand for Relief and Development. Bingerville is identified as a region with low accessibility to IT education, resulting in a lack of fundamental digital capabilities among its youth.
Within Bingerville Orphelinat National School, Kia has set up IT education facilities and plans to run a 6-month educational program until June 2027. The curriculum comprises a 4-month basic course and a 2-month advanced course, covering internet usage, document writing software, and employment and entrepreneurship training.
Kia is also providing vehicles for this endeavor. Utilizing the Sportage, the company plans to conduct ‘mobile IT education’ for young people in mountainous areas. By reaching areas with inconvenient transportation, they aim to increase accessibility and provide educational opportunities.
The Green Light Project has been Kia’s flagship social contribution program since 2012. The project has established educational institutions, health centers, and vocational training centers across 19 bases in 15 countries in Africa, Eastern Europe, and Asia, supporting self-reliance. The cumulative number of beneficiaries has reached one million.
Kia has already transferred the operational rights of 12 bases in 9 countries, including Tanzania, Malawi, and Ethiopia, to local governments and institutions, with plans to sequentially hand over the remaining 7 bases to local communities.
A Kia representative said, “The Green Light Project aims not just at support but at enhancing self-reliance capabilities,” adding, “We will continue to engage in diverse social contribution activities for a sustainable future generation.”
