AS PREPARATIONS for the 9th edition of the Africa Women Conference (AWC) 2025 progress, the Helpline Social Support Initiative has announced that 100 women and young girls from across Africa have been selected to participate in the inaugural AWC Women and Girls Digital Technology Hub: AI & Data Science Program.
The Africa Women Conference (AWC) 2025 is set to take place from November 19 to 21, 2025, in Accra, Ghana. This year’s theme is “Legacy Meets Innovation: Women Forging New Pathways for Africa’s Sustainable Development.”
Arome Ibrahim, Program Director of the AWC Digital Tech Hub, announced that the organization has partnered with DataCamp Donates (USA) to launch the AWC Women and Girls Digital Technology Hub AI & Data Science Program.
This initiative will provide approximately 100 DataCamp course licenses to selected participants.
“The AI & Data Analytics Program is an impact-driven initiative designed to empower 100 women and girls from across Africa with future-ready skills in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science,” said Arome Ibrahim.
The initiative stems from a resolution made during AWC Zambia 2024, aiming to provide selected participants with access to high-quality online courses on DataCamp, an industry-leading platform for learning data skills.
Participants will undergo a three-month structured training program, followed by six months of self-paced learning, which will enable them to earn globally recognized certifications and develop real-world competencies in AI, data analysis, and data science.
“The initiative is rooted in AWC’s mission to bridge the digital divide affecting women and girls on the continent, and it builds on the resolutions from the 2024 Africa Women Conference in Zambia, which emphasized the urgency of addressing gender gaps in technology access and innovation.
By investing in women’s digital skills, AWC and its partners seek to create pathways to employment, entrepreneurship, and community-driven tech solutions.
“This program represents more than just training, it’s a commitment to building an inclusive tech future for African women and girls,” a spokesperson for AWC stated. “We’re proud to collaborate with DataCamp Donates to expand opportunities for underrepresented voices in the digital space,”
In addition to technical skills, participants will participate in bi-weekly live sessions, mentorship opportunities, and a community of peer support. Applicants should be women or girls aged 15–45 residing in Africa who have access to a laptop and internet.
In terms of country spread Nigeria leads with 25 participants, Ghana follows with 9 participants, Cameroon, Somalia 5, Ethiopia, Egypt, South Africa, and Benin each have 4 participants, while Togo, Zimbabwe, and Senegal each have 3 participants.
Other African countries Uganda, Zambia, Rwanda, Algeria, Kenya, South Sudan, and Côte d’Ivoire each have 2 participants, while DRC, Malawi, Sudan, Mozambique, Cabo Verde, Botswana, Mali, Tanzania, Somaliland, Libya, Gambia, Madagascar, Liberia, Mauritius, Sierra Leone, Lesotho, Niger, Eswatini, Morocco, Mauritania, and Namibia each have 1 participant.
The selected 100 participants include individuals from AWC conference host countries, such as Zambia, Ethiopia, Gambia, Rwanda, Morocco, and Namibia, as well as other representatives from across the continent.
The launch session is scheduled for October 25, with the first cohort expected to graduate in May 2026. The 100 selected participants were chosen from over 3,500 applications received, with selection criteria based on interest, commitment, and potential for impact, according to the statement.
