Power Learn Project and Safaricom Hook Graduate 300 Youth in Groundbreaking Digital Transformation Talent Initiative
By Bernard Tonui
Power Learn Project Africa (PLP), in collaboration with Safaricom’s youth platform Safaricom Hook, has graduated 300 youth from a groundbreaking nationwide software development program aimed at building a digitally-empowered generation of innovators and problem solvers.
Launched in October 2024, the PLP x Safaricom Hook Tech Cohort is a fully funded, 16-week immersive digital training initiative that intentionally recruited youth from all 47 counties of Kenya, ensuring that talent from every corner of the country, not just urban centers, is included in the nation’s digital transformation journey.
By decentralizing access to opportunity, the program reinforces the belief that innovation can come from anywhere and must include everyone. Participants were equipped with cutting-edge digital skills in front-end and back-end software development, and engaged in real-world hackathons, mentorship sessions, and project-based learning designed to accelerate their readiness for the future of work.
“This is more than a graduation, it’s a national investment paying off, and 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. This partnership with Safaricom Hook has shown that when we decentralize opportunity and unite around a bold vision, we can build a tech-powered workforce that doesn’t just serve Africa’s future, it defines It.” said Mumbi Ndung’u, Executive Director of Power Learn Project Africa.
This initiative is a flagship part of PLP’s 1MillionDevs4Africa campaign, a Pan-African movement to train one million software developers and connect them to meaningful economic opportunities through employment, entrepreneurship, and upskilling.
“At Safaricom, our mission is not just to connect people, but to unlock the potential of Kenya’s youth by enabling them to lead in the digital economy,” said Fawzia Ali-Kimanthi, Chief Consumer Business Officer at Safaricom PLC.
The initiative aim to train at least 600 youth with emphasis on women in the next cohort with the age bracket of between 18-35 years. The application deadline is set for 21st June 2025. The application can be made on powerlearnprojectafrica.org/applications.
