NGO equips 300 Abuja women with basic tech skills to drive inclusion

A Non-Governmental Organisation, NGO, She Code Africa, in partnership with HP, has trained over 300 women in Abuja as part of efforts to bridge Nigeria’s widening digital gender gap and expand access to technology-driven opportunities.

Speaking at the programme’s closing ceremony in Abuja, Winner Bright, Communications and Digital Campaigns Manager, She Code Africa, said the initiative is designed to equip underserved women with foundational digital skills and create pathways to more advanced technology training.

According to her, “The six-day programme, held from March 11 to 19 in Kubwa, a densely populated suburb of the Federal Capital Territory, targeted young women aged 16 to 35, many of whom had little or no prior exposure to computers.”

The training focused on core digital competencies, addressing a key barrier that prevents many women from transitioning into higher-level technology roles.

She noted that the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to build a pipeline for advanced digital training while promoting inclusive economic participation.

In her words, “The Abuja cohort follows an earlier phase in Ibadan, Oyo State, where more than 200 women were trained. With both phases completed, She Code Africa is nearing its target of equipping 600 women nationwide with essential digital skills.”

She added that participants were trained in basic computer operations, internet navigation, and the use of mobile devices for everyday tasks.

“The curriculum also covered practical applications such as online job searches, digital communication, and the creation of professional profiles.”

Beneficiaries, including small business owners and women in the informal sector, are expected to leverage these skills to expand their businesses through digital platforms such as social media and messaging applications.

The programme, supported by HP through an equity-focused grant, was offered free of charge. It complements other She Code Africa initiatives, including advanced technical training and mentorship programmes.

Participants reported immediate benefits to their personal and professional development.

Mercy Bubai, a business owner who attended the training alongside her daughter, described the initiative as timely and transformative, noting that it has enhanced her ability to promote her business to both local and international clients.

“I now understand how to make my business more visible to my target market,” she said, adding that the shared learning experience with her daughter made the programme more impactful.

Bubai also called for increased access to digital tools such as laptops and computers to enable participants to effectively apply the skills they acquired.

Her daughter, Joy Daniel, said the training boosted her confidence in using digital tools, particularly in preparation for computer-based examinations.

“I’ve learned how to use both my phone and a computer for different tasks, and that will help me going forward,” she said.

Despite growing investment in digital literacy, significant gaps persist. Nigeria targets 70 percent digital literacy by 2030, yet data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey indicate that only 6.2 percent of young women aged 15 to 24 possess basic ICT skills, compared with 9 percent of their male counterparts.

Analysts say closing this gap will require sustained investment in infrastructure, teacher training, and curriculum development, alongside stronger collaboration between government, the private sector, and civil society.

She Code Africa said it plans to expand the programme to southern Nigeria in the coming months as it scales efforts to boost women’s participation in the digital economy.