200 underprivileged young women in Lagos State’s Ikorodu neighbourhood will receive free, industry-standard technical training from the Airtel Africa Foundation in collaboration with Airtel Nigeria.
The initiative will be carried out through the “DigiLeap Tech Drive,” an intensive digital literacy programme intended to close the gender gap in the technology industry, according to a statement issued by the organisation on Wednesday. The SAIL Innovation Lab is leading the project’s implementation, which is a strategic partnership between the Airtel Africa Foundation, the ISHK Tolaram Foundation, and Co-Creation Hub.
Segun Ogunsanya, the chairman of the Airtel Africa Foundation, emphasised that the project goes beyond simple classroom instruction.
Ogunsanya said, “This initiative guarantees the digital revolution is truly inclusive; it’s not just a training session but a professional pipeline designed to transition these women directly into internships and sustainable careers.”
Through a combination of technical instruction, mentorship, and direct job-placement connections, the programme is designed to turn high-potential individuals into professionals who are prepared for the workforce. This all-encompassing strategy seeks to improve female representation in the global tech economy while addressing local unemployment.
“We believe that empowering women with digital skills is a fundamental catalyst for national economic growth,” said Dinesh Balsingh, Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, highlighting the wider economic impact during the flag-off event. We are establishing a viable route for young women from marginalised communities to transition from the periphery of the digital economy into the core of the tech workforce through the DigiLeap tech training.
The foundation reiterated its dedication to long-term social change, arguing that technology is still the best means of opening doors throughout the continent. The foundation came to the conclusion that “entire communities thrive when women lead in technology.”
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