The Tech4Growth program is a flagship initiative by Odav’s Empowerment for Progress Foundation (OEPF) that drives digital inclusion and economic empowerment by equipping youth and women with cutting-edge technological skills. Through localized tech hubs, intensive bootcamps, and specialized labs, Tech4Growth bridges the digital divide, fosters innovation, and prepares participants for careers or entrepreneurship in the global tech economy. With a special focus on empowering girls and women, this program is transforming communities by creating opportunities in Nigeria’s rapidly growing digital landscape.

Purpose

Tech4Growth is designed to address the digital skills gap and promote equitable access to technology-driven opportunities. Its primary objectives are:

  • Digital Inclusion: Provide underserved youth and women with access to training in high-demand tech skills, ensuring they can participate in the digital economy.

  • Career and Entrepreneurial Pathways: Prepare participants for tech careers or tech-enabled businesses through certifications, career launchpads, and innovation support.

  • Gender Equity: Empower girls and women through targeted initiatives, such as Girls-in-Tech Focus Labs, to increase their representation in the tech sector.

  • Innovation Ecosystem: Foster a culture of creativity and problem-solving by establishing tech hubs that serve as centers for collaboration and technological advancement.

By democratizing access to technology, Tech4Growth is empowering a new generation of innovators and leaders to drive Nigeria’s digital transformation.

Key Components

Tech4Growth delivers a dynamic, inclusive, and practical approach to tech education through the following components:

  • Web, AI, IoT, and Cloud Literacy:
    Participants receive training in high-demand skills, including web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript), artificial intelligence (machine learning, data analysis), Internet of Things (IoT) for smart solutions, and cloud computing (AWS, Azure). These skills are taught through hands-on bootcamps and project-based learning to ensure practical application.

  • Career Launchpads and Certifications:
    The program offers structured pathways to employment, including resume-building workshops, mock interviews, and job placement support. Participants earn industry-recognized certifications that enhance their credibility and competitiveness in the tech job market or as freelancers.

  • Girls-in-Tech Focus Labs:
    Dedicated labs provide a supportive environment for girls and women to explore tech, overcome gender barriers, and build confidence. These labs include mentorship from female tech leaders, coding challenges, and networking opportunities to foster leadership in the tech industry.

  • Tech Hubs for Collaboration:
    Localized tech hubs serve as community centers for learning, innovation, and collaboration. Equipped with computers, internet access, and maker spaces, these hubs host bootcamps, hackathons, and startup incubators, creating vibrant ecosystems for tech-driven progress.

Impact Goal

Our ambitious goal is to train 5,000 youth and women in three years, with a focus on achieving significant gender parity. Through Tech4Growth, we aim to:

  • Increase employability by equipping participants with skills that align with global tech industry demands.

  • Foster tech entrepreneurship by supporting participants to launch startups or freelance businesses.

  • Boost women’s participation in tech by ensuring at least 50% of trainees are female, addressing gender disparities in the sector.

  • Strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy by producing skilled professionals and innovators who contribute to technological advancement.

Alignment with Broader Agendas

Tech4Growth is strategically aligned with national and global development frameworks, ensuring its relevance and scalability:

  • UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

    • SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): Promotes technological innovation and infrastructure development.

    • SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Enhances digital inclusion for underserved groups, particularly women and youth.

  • AU Agenda 2063 Goals:

    • Goal 7 (Environmentally Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Economies): Supports tech-driven solutions for sustainability.

    • Goal 12 (Capable Institutions and Transformative Leadership): Builds capacity for innovation and leadership.

  • Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda:
    Supports the digital economy and tech empowerment by preparing youth and women for tech-driven opportunities and economic growth.

Why Tech4Growth Matters

Nigeria’s digital economy is growing rapidly, yet many youth and women lack the skills to participate, perpetuating economic and gender inequalities. The tech sector offers immense opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship, and innovation, but access to training remains limited, especially in rural areas. Tech4Growth addresses these challenges by providing accessible, high-quality tech education tailored to the needs of underserved communities.

The program’s focus on women and girls is particularly critical. Despite their potential, women are underrepresented in Nigeria’s tech industry due to systemic barriers like limited education and cultural biases. Tech4Growth’s Girls-in-Tech Focus Labs empower women to break these barriers, fostering a more inclusive tech ecosystem. By training youth and women, the program not only transforms individual lives but also strengthens communities and positions Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s digital revolution.

Success Stories

  • Aminat’s Rise: Aminat, a 19-year-old from a rural community, joined a Girls-in-Tech Focus Lab and learned web development. After earning a certification, she built a website for a local cooperative, earning income and inspiring other girls in her village to pursue tech.

  • Tech Hub Impact: A tech hub in one state hosted a hackathon that led to the creation of a smart agriculture app, now used by local farmers to monitor crops, demonstrating the power of community-driven innovation.

Note: These are illustrative examples based on typical program outcomes. OEPF can replace them with real beneficiary stories as the program progresses.

Get Involved

Tech4Growth is a movement to unlock Nigeria’s digital potential, and we invite you to be part of it:

  • Fund Innovation: Your donation can provide training, certifications, or tech hub resources for a youth or woman, transforming their future.

  • Partner with Us: Collaborate as a tech company, mentor, or hub sponsor to scale our impact.

  • Join the Program: If you’re a youth or woman interested in tech, apply to Tech4Growth to start your journey in the digital economy.

Call to Action: Help us train 5,000 youth and women by 2028. Donate today, contact us to explore partnership opportunities, or apply to join Tech4Growth and become a tech trailblazer.