10th U6+ Consortium of African Universities International Conference

In Africa, the COVID-19 epidemic increased graduate unemployment and sped up structural changes toward platform-based entrepreneurship, digitally mediated jobs, and informal labour markets. Digital skills have become particularly important kinds of employability capital in this scenario. This study looks at the relationship between the development of digital skills and the perception of employability among South African Open Distance and e-Learning (ODeL) university students, with a focus on entrepreneurial recovery readiness in the wake of the pandemic. The study used a quantitative cross-sectional survey design and was based on the Technology Acceptance Model and Human Capital Theory. A standardized questionnaire measuring ICT literacy, digital problem-solving skills, online communication and collaboration (OCC) skills, perceived job readiness, adaptability and career agility, and entrepreneurial recovery readiness was used to gather data from 423 final-year ODeL students. Regression analysis, Pearson correlation, and descriptive statistics were used.Findings reveal high levels of foundational ICT literacy (M=4.06) and online communication and collaboration skills (M=4.13), but comparatively weaker technical troubleshooting capabilities (M=3.66), indicating a “digital proficiency paradox.” Correlation analysis shows significant positive relationships between digital skills and perceived employability, with OCC demonstrating the strongest association with adaptability and career agility (r=0.709, p<0.01). Regression results indicate that digital skills explain 26.8% of the variance in entrepreneurial recovery readiness (R²=0.268, p<0.001). Online communication and collaboration (β=0.362, p<0.001) and digital problem-solving skills (β=0.234, p<0.001) significantly predict entrepreneurial readiness, while basic ICT literacy shows no significant independent effect. The study concludes that advanced digital collaboration and problem-solving competencies, rather than foundational ICT literacy alone, constitute the primary drivers of employability and entrepreneurial recovery in post-pandemic African labour markets. The findings provide evidence-based implications for ODeL curriculum innovation, youth employment strategies, and digital entrepreneurship development aligned with inclusive economic recovery objectives.