Sylvia Duruson
Zoho, a global technology company, has partnered with She Code Africa (SCA), a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering African women in technology. This collaboration aims to enhance the skills of female tech professionals and students across the continent.
The partnership centers around Zoho’s “Train the Trainer” sessions, which will introduce SCA Academy trainers to Zoho Creator, a low-code app development platform. These sessions will equip trainers with the necessary skills to effectively use Zoho Creator. The trained instructors will then pass on their knowledge to SCA students, enabling them to build impactful applications using low-code technology to address real business challenges.
These upskilling sessions are part of Zoho Creator’s ‘Young Creators Program’ (YCP), a global initiative launched in 2022. The YCP aims to prepare future business leaders by providing them with advanced digital skills and encouraging technological innovation. It serves as a training platform to develop the next generation of tech-savvy leaders and innovators.
As part of the YCP, Zoho will host 30 female trainers from the SCA Academy for a three-day intensive training session in Lagos, Nigeria. These sessions will focus on enterprise-grade application development using low-code technology. Participants will receive comprehensive training materials and enjoy free access to the Creator platform for one year.
Kehinde Ogundare, Country Head of Zoho Nigeria, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting local communities. Zoho’s growth strategy, known as transnational localism, involves upskilling and hiring local talent, empowering local businesses with their technology, and promoting responsible and sustainable development.
The YCP has already empowered over 2,000 students worldwide with hands-on training in Zoho Creator. Participants receive completion certificates and attractive rewards. Beyond skill development, the program aims to boost confidence, foster personal growth, and create new opportunities in the technology industry.
Zoho’s investment in young minds is designed to spark creativity and innovation. The company is dedicated to making essential tools accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or resources. By bridging the technical skill gap, Zoho aims to support talent-building for the next generation of leaders and professionals.
Maryblessing Okolie, Community Manager at She Code Africa, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership. She highlighted the importance of equipping their trainers with the latest advancements in low-code technology, which will then be passed on to other students.
She Code Africa has established itself as a prominent non-profit organization in the tech sector. It focuses on celebrating and empowering young girls and women in technology across Africa. Through various initiatives including training, workshops, scholarships, and mentorship programs, SCA supports a vibrant community of over 51,000 members. The organization has set an ambitious goal of empowering 100,000 girls by 2030.
This collaboration between Zoho and She Code Africa represents a significant step towards addressing the gender gap in the tech industry. By providing targeted training and resources to women in technology, the partnership aims to create a more diverse and inclusive tech workforce in Africa. As the program progresses, it has the potential to significantly impact the technology landscape in Africa, fostering innovation and economic growth through the empowerment of women in tech.
