Airtel Africa Foundation launches ‘Tech for Her’ Programme to upskill African women with digital skills

Airtel Africa Foundation has launched its ‘Tech For Her’ Programme, targeting young women aged 18-40 years across Kenya, Zambia, and Uganda to equip them with high-demand digital skills, including Linux Administration, Cybersecurity, and Data Analytics, and prepare them to seek tech-related job opportunities across the world.

The five-week intensive online programme, to be delivered in partnership with Tertiary DNS, aligns with the Foundation’s mission to empower Africa through digital inclusion.

Participants will complete over 100 hours of intensive training through a flexible learning model that includes weekend classes for working professionals and weekday sessions for non-working participants.

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.

In addition, graduates of the programme will receive 12 months of continuous skill development support, with top performers achieving scores of 90 percent or higher qualifying for internship opportunities at Airtel Africa and structured mentorship from technology industry leaders.

Airtel Africa Foundation Chair Dr. Segun Ogunsanya maintained that Africa’s digital revolution cannot reach its full potential without gender equity.

He explained that the Tech For Her programme helps to level the playing field by providing women with industry-relevant skills, mentorship, and pathways to high-growth tech roles around the world.

“By investing in Africa’s women, we are investing in sustainable economic transformation,” emphasized Dr. Ogunsanya in a press statement.

He added that the Foundation would reserve 30 percent of training participant slots for women in rural and underserved communities, while 40 percent of training seats would prioritize applicants from low-income households.

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), only 30 percent of tech professionals in sub-Saharan Africa are women, and notably, the women hold just 2-8 percent of software development roles.

Considering the above, Annika Poutiainen, one of the foundation’s committee members, stated, “At Airtel Africa, we are actively working to advance women in technology roles, and we are committed to a future where young women can be at the forefront of innovation.”

She revealed that in running this programme, Airtel Africa Foundation is creating a pipeline of female tech leaders who would help unlock the vast digital opportunities both at home, in Africa, and further afield.

Meanwhile, applications close on 21^st August 2025, and participants are welcome to apply via country-specific portals on their respective Airtel websites or by following the links below.