Power Learn Project Africa (PLP), in partnership with Safaricom’s youth platform, Safaricom Hook, has marked a significant milestone by graduating 300 young Kenyans from a transformative nationwide software development program. The initiative seeks to empower a generation of tech-savvy innovators from all 47 counties with skills that align with the digital economy.
Launched in October 2024, the fully funded, 16-week immersive training equipped participants with essential digital skills in both front-end and back-end software development. The program also included real-world hackathons, hands-on mentorship, and project-based learning designed to accelerate youth employability and entrepreneurial potential.
Unlike traditional urban-centered tech programs, this initiative decentralized opportunity by recruiting participants across the entire country. According to PLP Executive Director Mumbi Ndung’u, this model ensures no talent is left behind:
“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,” said Ndung’u. “This partnership has shown that when we decentralize opportunity and unite around a bold vision, we can build a tech-powered workforce that defines Africa’s future.”
The initiative is a key element of PLP’s broader 1MillionDevs4Africa campaign, a continent-wide mission to train one million software developers and connect them to job opportunities, entrepreneurship support, and continuous upskilling.
Safaricom’s Chief Consumer Business Officer, Fawzia Ali-Kimanthi, praised the collaboration, stating:
“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.”
To ensure these skills translate into real economic benefits, PLP has launched the PLP Talent Hub—a platform that links graduates to curated job placements, internships, freelance opportunities, and startup support. The Talent Hub aims to bridge the critical gap between training and employment.
“Africa doesn’t have a talent problem, it has a deployment problem,” added Ndung’u. “We’re calling on employers, investors, and ecosystem leaders to recruit, engage, and integrate this ready pipeline of talent.”
Building on the program’s success, Power Learn Project has opened applications for its next intake in June 2025. The organization is calling on passionate youth aged 18 to 35 to apply and take their place in shaping Africa’s digital future.
Key Highlights of the Program:
- Fully funded 16-week immersive tech training
- Curriculum includes front-end and back-end development
- Participation from youth across all 47 counties
- Hackathons, mentorship, and project-based learning
- Access to job and entrepreneurship opportunities via PLP Talent Hub
