Non-governmental organization Mumsbooth has empowered over 200 young girls in Nigeria with digital and technology skills through its ProjectSTART initiative. The program, themed “Building Future Innovators”, is part of the Girls in Tech series, designed to introduce girls aged 10 to 19 to the tech ecosystem and equip them with tools for future careers.
Conducted both physically and virtually across Nigeria, the training covered skills such as mobile device repair, graphic design with Canva, data analysis, digital content creation using AI, virtual assistant technologies, product management, and quality assurance. Partnering with Seamfix and GGTV, Mumsbooth ensured the program’s wide reach and impactful delivery.
Founder Martha Tawiyah, an engineer and tech professional, emphasized the need to support girls in overcoming barriers within the male-dominated tech industry. “As an engineer, I understand the challenges young girls face transitioning into this space and how underrepresented females are in this field. I am committed to building as many future innovators as possible through our incubation hub,” she said.
Beyond the training, selected participants will receive scholarships for advanced studies and access to internships and mentorship opportunities to prepare them for the workforce. Parents of the participants praised the initiative, with Hauwa Rabiu Abubakar describing it as empowering and transformative for her daughter.
Now in its seventh year, ProjectSTART has reached over 15,000 individuals across Africa, including countries like South Africa, Ghana, and Uganda. The initiative has consistently focused on vocational and skill acquisition for children and women, fostering independence and innovation.
Tawiyah expressed gratitude for the program’s successes and reaffirmed Mumsbooth’s commitment to expanding its reach. “We will continue to reach more communities, helping people develop skills that enable them to thrive and become independent,” she said.
With its dedication to nurturing young talent and fostering innovation, ProjectSTART stands as a beacon of hope for Africa’s next generation of tech leaders.
