The Airtel Africa Foundation, through Airtel Nigeria, has officially opened the application portal for the DigiLeap Tech Drive, a core initiative in the Foundation’s digital inclusion agenda, targeting 200 underserved young women in the Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos State. The application portal will remain open until 8 May 2026.
The programme is designed to bridge the gender divide in the digital economy by providing intensive, industry-standard technical and digital literacy training at no cost to beneficiaries. The DigiLeap Tech Drive is a strategic collaboration between the Airtel Africa Foundation, the ISHK Tolaram Foundation, and Co-Creation Hub, with implementation carried out by the SAIL Innovation Lab, a leading centre for digital talent development in Nigeria.
Brandspur Brand News understands that the high-impact project has been strategically engineered to transform high-potential individuals into workforce-ready professionals, providing technical instruction, mentorship, and job-placement linkages. This approach directly tackles regional unemployment and the systemic underrepresentation of women in the global technology sector.
Dr Segun Ogunsanya, chairman of the Airtel Africa Foundation, emphasised that the partnership between the Foundation, Ishk Tolaram, and CcHub is central to the Foundation’s holistic mission of advancing both digital and gender inclusion across the continent. Ogunsanya stated that the Foundation’s mission is to accelerate digital inclusion across Africa, and by bringing the DigiLeap Tech Drive to the women of Ikorodu alongside its partners, the organisation is providing 200 young women with a definitive competitive advantage in the modern economy.
He further noted that the initiative ensures the digital revolution is truly inclusive, adding that it is not merely a training session but a professional pipeline designed to transition these women directly into internships and sustainable careers. Dinesh Balsingh, chief executive officer of Airtel Nigeria, highlighted Airtel’s dedication to ensuring that women are integrated into the country’s rapidly evolving digital economy.
Balsingh stated that Airtel Nigeria believes empowering women with digital skills is a fundamental catalyst for national economic growth, and with the DigiLeap tech training, the company is creating a sustainable pathway for young women in underserved communities to move from the sidelines of the digital economy into the heart of the tech workforce. He added that the initiative reflects Airtel’s deep-rooted commitment to social impact and the belief that when women lead in technology, entire communities thrive.
The programme focuses on industry-standard competencies that enhance both employability and entrepreneurship readiness. Application entry is now live and open to women aged 18 to 35 living in Ikorodu, with prospective trainees advised to apply via the portal link at bit.ly/DigiLeap.
