African Charity Organizes Training Program for Skill Enhancement of Women in Africa
Airtel Africa Foundation Launches "Tech For Her" Program to Empower Women in Tech
The Airtel Africa Foundation has launched a new initiative, the "Tech For Her" program, aimed at upskilling young women in Zambia, Uganda, and Kenya with intensive digital skills training in high-demand tech fields such as Linux administration, cybersecurity, and data analytics.
The program, which runs for five weeks, delivers over 100 hours of training through flexible online sessions tailored for both working professionals and non-working participants. This flexible learning model includes weekend classes for working professionals and weekday sessions for non-working participants.
The program is designed to improve gender equity in tech industries by providing women with industry-relevant tech skills and knowledge, structured mentorship from senior tech leaders, and internship opportunities at Airtel Africa for top performers scoring 90% and above. Additionally, all graduates will receive 12 months of continuous skills support for sustained career growth.
In an effort to reach underserved and marginalized groups, 30% of participant slots are reserved for women in rural and underserved communities, and 40% of seats are prioritized for women from low-income households.
Dr. Segun Ogunsanya, Chair of Airtel Africa Foundation, emphasized that the digital revolution in Africa depends on gender equity, and this program is designed to level the playing field by empowering women with tech skills, mentorship, and pathways to high-growth technology careers.
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. To be eligible for the training, candidates are required to have basic digital literacy, a minimum education of a national diploma or its equivalent in Science and Technology, or higher qualifications.
According to UNESCO, for every 100 men with spreadsheet skills in sub-Saharan Africa, only 40 to 44 women have the same proficiency. This gender gap is further reflected in the tech startup ecosystem, with only 17.3% of African tech startups having at least one female co-founder, and female CEOs leading just 11.1% of these startups.
The event was covered by Chimp Reports, and Ayona stated that many young women in Uganda are blocked from the digital revolution due to gender bias, limited access, and lack of opportunity. The 'Tech For Her' Program covers skills in Linux Administration, Cybersecurity, and Data Analytics, aiming to bridge this gap and empower young women to take on high-growth technology careers.
Top performers in the program will qualify for internship opportunities at Airtel Africa, providing them with hands-on experience and further opportunities for career growth. Ayona's team demonstrated how to access the training online during the event, making it accessible to all eligible candidates.
- The Airtel Africa Foundation's "Tech For Her" program offers structured mentorship to young women in tech, providing them with industry-relevant skills in fields like Linux administration, cybersecurity, and data analytics.
- To ensure inclusivity, 30% of participant slots are reserved for women in rural and underserved communities, and 40% of seats are prioritized for women from low-income households.
- Knowledge in health-and-wellness, women's health, lifestyle, technology, education-and-self-development, and science can be gained through the "Tech For Her" Program, bridging the gender gap in the tech startup ecosystem.
- The flexible learning model of the "Tech For Her" Program caters to both working professionals and non-working participants, with weekend classes for the former and weekday sessions for the latter.
- Successful program participantsstand a chance to secure internships at Airtel Africa, fostering their growth in high-demand tech fields, and creating pathways for them to pursue careers in the tech industry.
