The Airtel Africa Foundation has opened applications for its DigiLeap Tech Drive, a digital skills programme aimed at training 200 young women to boost inclusion in the technology sector.
Dr. Segun Ogunsanya, Chairman of the Airtel Africa Foundation, announced this on Thursday in Lagos.
Ogunsanya said the initiative, delivered through Airtel Nigeria in partnership with the Ishk Tolaram Foundation and Co-Creation Hub (CcHub), seeks to bridge the gender gap in the digital economy.
He added that the programme equips underserved young women with industry-standard technical and digital literacy skills at no cost.
“Our mission at the Airtel Africa Foundation is to accelerate digital inclusion across the continent. By bringing the DigiLeap Tech Drive to women in Ikorodu, we are providing 200 young women with a competitive advantage in the modern economy,” he said.
Ogunsanya explained that the programme targets participants in Ikorodu Local Government Area, offering intensive training in digital competencies, mentorship, and career guidance to enhance employability.
He noted that the DigiLeap Tech Drive is part of the Foundation’s broader digital inclusion agenda, ensuring women are not left behind in the fast-growing technology sector.
The programme goes beyond classroom training, providing job placement linkages and real-world industry exposure to transition beneficiaries into internships and sustainable employment.
Ogunsanya said the collaboration with the Ishk Tolaram Foundation and Co-Creation Hub, implemented by SAIL Innovation Lab, reflects a structured effort to build a talent pipeline from training to workforce participation.
Airtel Nigeria CEO Dinesh Balsingh added that the initiative demonstrates the company’s commitment to empowering women with digital skills, driving economic growth and social development.
“At Airtel Nigeria, we believe that empowering women with digital skills is a key driver of national economic growth. When women lead in technology, entire communities thrive,” he said, emphasizing that inclusion is central to Airtel’s sustainability and social impact strategy.
Applications for the DigiLeap Tech Drive are open to women aged 18 to 35 in Ikorodu and close on May 8.
