The Tech4Dev Journey Towards Digital Inclusion Empowering Africa Through Tech

By Bem Abubakar

by: Ogheneruro Oluku

change. Inspired by the achievements of participants in the Nigerian Women Techsters program, Tech4Dev introduced the Women Techsters initiative in 2021. This initiative, with its ambitious goal to empower five million girls and women across Africa by 2030, is a testament to Tech4Dev’s vision and determination. To date, the program has been implemented in twenty-two African countries and continues to expand, leaving a lasting impact on communities and individuals.

Tech4Dev, since its establishment in 2016, has been on a transformative journey to address global challenges through technology. Initially, they focused on education, civic engagement, and public health. However, in 2019, after a thorough analysis, Tech4Dev decided to prioritise education. This choice was informed by data revealing that a substantial portion of the African population lacked essential digital literacy skills, hindering their access to vital information, educational resources, and employment prospects in an increasingly digitised society. Today, Tech4Dev is a well-known nonprofit organisation making a significant impact by promoting equal job and entrepreneurship opportunities for African people. The organisation’s mission is to close the gap and offer access to meaningful work opportunities and platforms by empowering individuals with digital skills and advocating for their advancement.

A shining example of their global initiative is Women Techsters, which is improving the economic prospects of young African women, especially those in underserved communities, by providing them with digital skills training.

The journey began with the “Code for Impact Program, “providing coding and analytical skills training to seventy girls and women in Nigerian tertiary institutions. This initiative, a testament to Tech4Dev’s commitment, was carried out in collaboration with Hacey Health Initiative, Access Bank, and the United States consulate in Nigeria. The success of this program, evident in the transformed lives of its participants, led to the expansion of Tech4Dev’s efforts, partnering with Microsoft to launch the Nigerian Women Techsters program. This initiative, which reached over 2400 women in twelve states across Nigeria, clearly demonstrates the power of collaboration and the potential for

Tech4Dev is dedicated to promoting economic inclusion for under-resourced and underrepresented communities worldwide, primarily focusing on African regions. By leveraging digital skills, the organisation aims to facilitate this goal by implementing free digital skilling programs. These programs are specially tailored for individuals in underserved areas who may not have the financial means to afford expensive training programs. With this in mind, Tech4Dev digital skills empowerment programs target a broad audience, such as youth (ages 16-45). These include young adults, unemployed individuals, and those seeking better employment opportunities in the digital economy. Government employees: Tech4Dev equips government officials with digital skills to improve efficiency and service delivery. Most of the programs under this bucket are geared toward ensuring transparency and prompt service delivery.

The Women Techsters Initiative is specifically designed for women aged 18 and above. This initiative is focused on empowering women throughout Africa by providing them with digital and tech skills. The goal is to train 5 million women by 2030 through boot camps, fellowships, and mentorship programs. Tech4Dev recognises the importance of tech skills in today’s digital world, emphasising that these skills are beneficial on a personal level and crucial for driving economic prosperity and sustainable development. The initiative goes beyond basic computer literacy to equip women with the necessary tools to thrive in the digital age. Also, Tech4Dev offers specialised programs designed to provide individuals with valuable tech skills in high-demand areas such as Mobile App Development, Software Development,

Product Design, Product Management, Cybersecurity, Data Science/Artificial Intelligence Engineering, Blockchain, and Mixed Reality/3D. The organisation believes proficiency in these fields can lead to better employment opportunities and career growth. By focusing on these tracks, Tech4Dev empowers individuals and contributes to economic diversification, job creation, and sustainable progress. As technology evolves, early adopters with AI skills will have a competitive advantage. This is why AI proficiency is a critical component of the programs offered by Tech4Dev.

Though her headquarters is in Nigeria, Tech4Dev is on a mission to bring the power of technology to individuals across Africa. Her programs are currently open to people in 22 countries, spanning from North Africa to Southern Africa. Tec4Dev has reached Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, DR Congo, Tanzania, Uganda, Algeria, Sudan, Morocco, Angola, Mozambique, Madagascar, Zambia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Liberia, yet, the journey doesn’t stop there. The goal is to empower every nation on the continent and leave a global footprint through tech-driven education and opportunity.

Tech4Dev established its first branch in Washington, D.C., to cater to North America, with plans for further expansion in the future. Since its inception in 2016, Tech4Dev has become a significant player in empowering individuals. Its programs have directly impacted 120,298 Africans across 22 countries, with a particular focus on women. The Women Techsters Initiative, in particular, has been instrumental in upskilling 109,379 individuals through various programs. What sets this initiative apart is its focus on providing training that directly leads to job opportunities or entrepreneurship. Statistics show that eight out of 10 intermediate program participants successfully secure employment. The 2022 Waislitz Global Citizen Award has been presented to recognise and honour the contributions of Tec4Dev in addressing extreme poverty through technology skills development. Tec4Dev is a firm advocate for the potential of digital literacy to bring about positive change and empowerment in our increasingly interconnected world. The organisation firmly believes that access to technology and proficiency in navigating the digital realm should be regarded as essential rights in today’s society. This belief is not just a concept at Tech4Dev; it is fundamental to our programs and initiatives. Tech4Dev has empowered youth, educators, and entire communities to thrive in the digital world, from training individuals on essential digital skills to bridging the digital divide in underserved communities.

At Tech4Dev, collaboration is not just a buzzword, but a critical guiding principle that drives all operations. The organisation actively fosters robust partnerships with both public and private sectors, a testament to its credibility and reach. Specifically, Tech4Dev maintains strong relationships with the Nigerian government at various federal, state, and local levels. This involves strategic collaborations with ministries such as education, science & technology, women’s affairs, and youth & sports development— additionally, Tech4Dev partners with individual states and local governments to support targeted initiatives and projects. Tech4Dev’s partnerships with leading organisations in the private sector, such as Microsoft, a critical funding and implementation partner for over eight years, and other significant collaborators including the OK Foundation, FCDO, American Tower Corporation in Nigeria, the Islamic Development Bank, and the Central Bank of Egypt, are a testament to its credibility and the value it brings to its partners.

Additionally, various job partners provide internships to Tech4Dev beneficiaries. These partnerships play a vital role in achieving our mission. Government partnerships help expand our reach, enhance program delivery, and influence policy changes. Private sector collaborations bring funding, expertise, and essential opportunities like internships for our beneficiaries.