Airtel Africa Foundation Launches DigiLeap Women in Tech Programme to Empower 200 Young Women in Lagos
The Airtel Africa Foundation, through Airtel Nigeria, has unveiled the DigiLeap Women in Tech Programme, a new digital skills initiative aimed at empowering 200 young women from underserved communities in Ikorodu, Lagos State, with industry-relevant technology skills to improve their employability and contribute to Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital economy.
The 12-week programme, which commenced in June and will run until September 2026, is being implemented in collaboration with the Ishk Tolaram Foundation, Co-Creation Hub (CcHub) and SAIL Innovation Lab. Training is taking place at the SAIL Innovation Lab in Ikorodu.
The initiative is designed to equip participants with practical digital competencies in Product Design, Software Development, Digital Marketing and Data Analytics, while also providing leadership development, mentorship and internship opportunities to prepare them for successful careers in the technology sector.
Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Chairman of the Airtel Africa Foundation, Segun Ogunsanya, said the programme underscores the Foundation’s commitment to empowering young Africans through digital education and expanding access to opportunities within the continent’s evolving digital landscape.
He stressed that investing in young women remains one of the most effective and sustainable ways to stimulate innovation, create employment opportunities and drive long-term economic growth across Africa.
Ogunsanya encouraged participants to maximise the opportunity by embracing the training with determination and a willingness to learn.
“We encourage every participant to approach this programme with purpose, discipline and curiosity. The knowledge, networks and mentorship you gain over the coming weeks have the potential to transform not only your future but also the lives of your families, communities and the next generation of girls who will look up to you. This is how lasting impact is created,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh, described the programme as a reflection of the company’s commitment to building a more inclusive digital economy by ensuring that more young Nigerians, particularly women, acquire the skills required for the jobs of the future.
He noted that although Nigeria’s digital economy continues to offer enormous opportunities for growth and innovation, broad-based participation remains essential if the country is to fully realise its digital potential.
According to Balsingh, Airtel Nigeria, through the Airtel Africa Foundation, is deliberately investing in young women because of the significant role they play in driving technological innovation and economic development.
“Through the Airtel Africa Foundation, we are intentionally investing in young women because we recognise the immense value they bring to innovation, technology and economic growth. DigiLeap is designed to equip participants with practical, industry-relevant skills that employers need today while giving them the confidence, mentorship and professional exposure required to build successful careers,” he said.
The organisers explained that the programme adopts a practical approach to learning by combining classroom instruction with hands-on projects, mentorship sessions and internship placements, enabling participants to bridge the gap between academic learning and workplace expectations.
As part of the initiative, professionals from Airtel Nigeria will provide career guidance, mentorship and industry insights, helping participants understand current trends within the technology sector while preparing them for successful entry into the workforce.
According to the organisers, the DigiLeap Women in Tech Programme forms part of the Airtel Africa Foundation’s wider strategy to promote digital inclusion and youth empowerment across Africa.
By creating greater opportunities for women to pursue careers in technology, the Foundation believes the initiative will contribute significantly to Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda, while nurturing a new generation of innovators, entrepreneurs and technology professionals capable of driving sustainable economic development.
