Equity Group and iamtheCODE Partner to Offer Free Digital and AI Skills to 600,000 African Youth
Equity Group Foundation (EGF) and iamtheCODE, the world’s first African-led global STEAMD movement, have launched a strategic partnership to empower 600,000 learners across Africa with essential digital, technical, and artificial intelligence skills.
The initiative will roll out a comprehensive “Digital Academy” featuring over 65,000 free online upskilling and certification resources. The program is designed to provide inclusive access for women, girls, and youth, with a strong emphasis on reaching underserved and refugee communities often excluded from high-cost training platforms.
This partnership combines a STEAMD (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Design) curriculum with leadership workshops, mentorship, and open-source courses. It builds on the success of EGF’s established initiatives, such as the Wings to Fly program and the Equity Leadership Program, which have already provided over 60,000 secondary school scholarships and supported more than 29,000 scholars through university.
Speaking at the signing, Dr. James Mwangi, Executive Chairman of Equity Group Foundation, emphasized the urgent need to bridge the gap between formal education and the skills employers now demand.
“Employability is increasingly becoming difficult if you don’t have the right skills,” Dr. Mwangi stated, noting that capabilities in AI, coding, data analytics, and data engineering remain scarce.
He highlighted Africa’s “digital native” youth population as a key advantage, suggesting the continent can leverage technology to “leapfrog” development. “IamtheCODE is providing access to 600,000 licenses, meaning we can reach 600,000 young people with technical skills that could allow them to live in Africa but work for the rest of the world, because coding skills are scarce globally,” Dr. Mwangi added.
Lady Mariéme Jamme, Founder and CEO of iamtheCODE, described the continent’s skilling needs as an “emergency.”
“We are in emergency mode in Africa right now. We need to make sure that our people are skilled. We cannot just sit and wait,” she said. “This partnership with Equity Group represents the spirit of collaboration Africa needs. We need to restore dignity to people. When people have dignity, they gain skills, and with those skills, they achieve freedom.”
The partnership extends beyond technical training. Participants will also be equipped with essential life and soft skills, such as collaboration, empathy, and teamwork.
Crucially, Equity Group will provide a comprehensive support system for learners. This includes offering loans to purchase tools like computers, providing internship placements, and making startup capital available for those looking to launch their own businesses. Graduates will also be connected to Equity’s 23 million customers, helping to digitize small businesses and drive broader economic growth.
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