Airtel Africa Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Airtel Africa plc, has launched its Tech For Her Program to empower young women in Zambia, Uganda, and Kenya with in-demand digital skills. Delivered in partnership with Tertiary DNS, the five-week online program provides intensive training in areas such as Linux Administration, Cybersecurity, and Data Analytics, helping participants prepare for global technology job opportunities.
The program reflects the Foundation’s mission of driving digital inclusion across Africa. Participants will undergo more than 100 hours of training delivered through a flexible model, with weekend classes tailored for working professionals and weekday sessions for non-working participants. To qualify, applicants must have basic digital literacy and hold at least a national diploma in Science and Technology or higher. Graduates will receive a year of ongoing skill development, while top performers achieving a score of 90% or above will be offered internships at Airtel Africa along with structured mentorship from industry leaders.
Highlighting the initiative’s importance, Dr. Segun Ogunsanya, Chair of Airtel Africa Foundation, emphasized that Africa’s digital transformation cannot be fully realized without gender equity. He noted that the program will prioritize women from underserved and low-income communities, reserving 30% of seats for rural participants and 40% for those from disadvantaged households. The initiative seeks to address the gender gap in the tech sector, where women currently account for only 30% of professionals in sub-Saharan Africa and hold just 2–8% of software development roles, according to UNESCO.
Committee member Annika Poutiainen further stressed Airtel Africa’s commitment to advancing women in technology roles. She explained that the Tech For Her Program is designed to create a pipeline of female tech leaders who will play a vital role in unlocking Africa’s digital potential and contributing to innovation both locally and globally.
