Power Learn Project Africa (PLP), in collaboration with Safaricom’s youth platform Safaricom Hook, has today graduated 300 youth from a groundbreaking nationwide software development program aimed at building a digitally-empowered generation of innovators and problem solvers.
Launched in October 2024, the PLP x Safaricom Hook Tech Cohort is a fully funded, 16-week immersive digital training initiative that intentionally recruited youth from all 47 counties of Kenya, ensuring that talent from every corner of the country, not just urban centers, is included in the nation’s digital transformation journey. By decentralizing access to opportunity, the program reinforces the belief that innovation can come from anywhere and must include everyone.
Participants were equipped with cutting-edge digital skills in front-end and back-end software development, and engaged in real-world hackathons, mentorship sessions, and project-based learning designed to accelerate their readiness for the future of work.
“This is more than a graduation, it’s a national investment paying off,” said Mumbi Ndung’u, Executive Director of Power Learn Project Africa. “We envision a future where every young African has equal access to digital skills, dignified livelihoods, and the ability to innovate from wherever they are. This partnership with Safaricom Hook has shown that when we decentralize opportunity and unite around a bold vision, we can build a tech-powered workforce that doesn’t just serve Africa’s future, it defines it.”
This initiative is a flagship part of PLP’s 1MillionDevs4Africa campaign, a Pan-African movement to train one million software developers and connect them to meaningful economic opportunities through employment, entrepreneurship, and upskilling.
“At Safaricom, our mission is not just to connect people, but to unlock the potential of Kenya’s youth by enabling them to lead in the digital economy,” said Fawzia
Ali-Kimanthi, Chief Consumer Business Officer at Safaricom PLC. “Through this partnership, we’re not just training coders, we’re nurturing thinkers, builders, and creators who will drive Kenya’s innovation agenda and solve challenges at both a national and global scale.”
PLP now invites corporates, startups, development partners, and government institutions to collaborate in creating more pathways for youth by accessing talent through the PLP Talent Hub. The Talent Hub connects graduates to curated job and internship opportunities, freelance gigs, and entrepreneurial support.
“Africa doesn’t have a talent problem, it has a deployment problem,” said Mumbi Ndung’u, Executive Director of Power Learn Project Africa. Across the continent, young people are gaining the right digital skills, but too many remain disconnected from real economic opportunities. We’re calling on employers, investors, and ecosystem leaders to step forward, not just to support training, but to actively recruit, engage, and integrate this ready pipeline of talent. If we align education with industry, Africa will lead not just in workforce numbers, but in innovation, execution, and impact.”
Building on the success of this groundbreaking cohort, Power Learn Project has officially opened applications for its June 2025 intake, accelerating its bold mission to train 1 million young developers across Africa and cement the continent’s place in the global digital economy.
- Apply Now: powerlearnprojectafrica.org/applications Deadline: 21st June, 2025
- Target Group: Youth aged 18 – 35, passionate about technology and digital transformation.
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