POWER LEARN PROJECT EMPOWERING YOUTHS IN TANZANIA THROUGH A FULLY FUNDED SCHOLARSHIP FOR SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

Pictured from left; Kaori Mitsuma - PLP Partner Emurgo Africa, Neria Rutashobya - Secretary Ministry of Loans DARUSO, Daud Balele - Minister of Science, Tech and Innovation DARUSO, George Ndekwa - Finance Manager, Adanian Labs Tanzania, Bernadette Massawe - Vice President DARUSO, Minja Spencer - President of DARUSO, Mumbi Ndung’u - Chief Growth Officer PLP, Paul Siniga - PLP Tanzania Ambassador, Baraka Malele - Secretary Ministry of Science, Tech and Innovation.

Power Learn Project launches in Tanzania, setting its sights on training 300,000 youths from Tanzania in its quest to train 1 Million Software developers across Africa by 2027 

Dar es Salaam, 3 December 2022 - Innovation for a resilient and inclusive digital economy is relevant, timely, and aligns well to ensure innovation is at the heart of achieving industrialization and creating jobs. At the University of Dar es Salaam, Power Learn Project (PLP), in partnership with Adanian Labs Tanzania and the Dar es Salaam University Students Organization, has launched the #1MillionDevs4Africa Program in Tanzania in a bid to train 1 Million software developers across the continent by 2027.

In 2016, the government of Tanzania launched the National ICT Policy 2016, an update to an earlier version adopted in 2003, in recognition of the contribution of the ICT sector to promoting socioeconomic development in the country.

Digital technology can help address a range of socioeconomic challenges in any society. This is particularly true in developing countries where large swathes of the population lack access to essential services, mainly due to insufficient resources and weak infrastructure. In many countries, digital technologies, particularly the internet, now serve as a platform for improving healthcare, education, commerce, information sharing, employment, and innovation. In turn, this generates measurable economic, social and cultural value, from improving productivity and efficiency in critical sectors of the economy to enabling access to life-enhancing services for individuals and communities.

“Leveraging mobile and digital technology to realize the development goals in Tanzania requires collaboration by all stakeholders, including the government, development organizations, private sector players, and the mobile industry. There is an opportunity for further collaboration among these stakeholders to extend digital services to unconnected populations, empower women and, reduce all forms of inequality, support the emerging tech start-up ecosystem. The extent and outcome of collaboration on improving access to and adoption of digital services rely on the ability of government to create an enabling environment and the right incentives for partnerships.” says Mumbi Ndung’u, Chief, Growth & Operations Officer of Power Learn Project.

Launched in April 2022 in Kenya, PLP is a Pan African impact organization with a vision of driving transformative change for the youth in Africa by empowering them with relevant technology capacity through providing quality, affordable and decentralized tech training.

PLP aims to kickstart software careers with entry-level, fully funded training using self-paced learning management over 16 weeks. The course ranges from programming languages such as Python and Dart Programming with Flutter to Blockchain 101, Databases, Data Science, and Entrepreneurial skills. The learners will then have opportunities for hands-on practical experience through a proof of work module.

Learners will earn a certificate upon successfully completing the course and join a community of young skilled Africans ready to take on digital opportunities. They will also be equipped with life skills such as Financial Literacy, Health, and Well-being with our partner AfyaRekod, who will provide access to their mental health data and support when in need, among many more. These will help them navigate the fast-paced, evolving world as productive members of society.

“Upon completion of the course, learners will have access to a number of opportunities and alternative educational pathways through the organization, ranging from internships and proof of work opportunities or venture studio and incubator connections if they want to explore entrepreneurship,” states Ndung’u.

In the pilot phase of the Tanzania program, PLP aims to train 1000 software developers in Tanzania over four months. Over the next few months, PLP is looking to launch three more pilot countries Ghana, Uganda & Rwanda, with West and North Africa, envisioned for phase 2 of the program. The scholarship program officially started accepting applications as of 19th October 2022.

“The world is in the midst of the fourth Industrial Revolution, driven by Information and Communication Technology (ICT); as such, the World Economy and other activities are highly dependent on ICT. Given that, Tanzania cannot afford to remain behind,” says John Kamara, chairman of the Power Learn Project board.

About Power Learn Project:

Power Learn Project is an impact organization aiming to drive transformative change for African youths by powering them with relevant skills through providing quality and decentralized tech training.

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For more information, contact:

Esther Gatimu,
Marketing and Communications Manager
Power Learn Project
Esther.m@powerlearnproject.org
+254 724 929875

Or

Zainab Abdalla
Project Lead Tanzania
Power Learn Project
Ola.zainab@powerlearnproject.org