Charity Organization Kicks Off Program Designed to Enhance Professional Skills for African Females
The Airtel Africa Foundation has launched an exciting new initiative, the "Tech For Her" Program, aimed at equipping young women across Zambia, Uganda, and Kenya with high-demand digital skills. This five-week intensive online training program focuses on Linux Administration, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, SQL, DevOps, and Ethical Hacking, with the ultimate goal of empowering women to pursue careers in technology and supporting Africa's digital inclusion mission, particularly in terms of gender equity.
The program is open to women aged approximately 18 to 40 years (with Uganda specifically mentioning 18 to 35). To be eligible, candidates must possess basic digital literacy and have a minimum education of a national diploma or equivalent in science, technology, or related fields, or higher qualifications.
The "Tech For Her" Program offers over 100 hours of guided flexible learning, with weekend sessions for working professionals and weekday classes for those not employed full-time. Top performers scoring 90% or higher qualify for paid internships at Airtel Africa and receive structured mentorship from technology industry leaders.
To ensure broader access, the program includes a deliberate inclusion strategy. Thirty percent of seats are reserved for women in rural or underserved communities, and 40% for applicants from low-income households. This initiative aims to address gender disparity in tech by providing relevant skills and pathways to high-growth global tech roles, supporting sustainable economic transformation in Africa.
The program is delivered in partnership with Tertiary DNS and aligns with efforts backed by government ministries to advance digital inclusion and close the gender gap in the tech sector. It specifically targets empowering women in traditionally underrepresented digital fields, substantially increasing their employability in global tech markets.
The 'Tech For Her' Program was officially unveiled in Uganda at Kawempe Public Library, with Resty Ayona, Head of Performance and Rewards at Airtel Uganda, hosting the event. The training for the program can be accessed online, and the initiative aligns with the Airtel Africa Foundation's mission to empower Africa through Digital Inclusion.
According to UNESCO, for every 100 men with spreadsheet skills in sub-Saharan Africa, only 40 to 44 women have the same proficiency. The "Tech For Her" Program aims to help bridge this gap by providing relevant skills and pathways to high-growth global tech roles, supporting sustainable economic transformation in Africa.
The launch of the "Tech For Her" Program was reported by Chimp Reports. The program is part of Airtel Africa Foundation's ongoing commitment to digital inclusion and gender equity, and it is expected to make a significant impact on the tech landscape in Africa.
- The Tech For Her Program, an initiative by Airtel Africa Foundation, seeks to empower young women across Zambia, Uganda, and Kenya with high-demand digital skills, focusing on areas like Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, and Ethical Hacking.
- The program's eligibility criteria include basic digital literacy and a minimum education of a national diploma or equivalent in science, technology, or related fields, or higher qualifications.
- The Tech For Her Program offers structured mentorship from technology industry leaders and opportunities for paid internships at Airtel Africa for top performers.
- To ensure broader access, 30% of seats are reserved for women in rural or underserved communities, and 40% for applicants from low-income households, aligning with the program's inclusion strategy.
- The Tech For Her Program aims to address gender disparity in tech by providing relevant skills and pathways to high-growth global tech roles, supporting sustainable economic transformation in Africa, and bridging the skills gap in sub-Saharan Africa as per UNESCO statistics.
