Three hundred young people from across Kenya have completed a 16-week software development programme run by Power Learn Project Africa (PLP) in partnership with Safaricom Hook.

The nationwide initiative, which offered fully funded training, aimed to equip youth with cutting-edge digital skills and promote inclusive innovation.

Those who took part came from all 47 counties, a deliberate move to ensure that talent from rural and urban areas alike could take part in the country’s digital transformation.

Participants gained experience in both front-end and back-end development, and took part in mentorship, hackathons, and project work to prepare them for careers in technology.

PLP’s Executive Director Mumbi Ndung’u reflected on the broader significance of the event.

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“This is more than a graduation, it’s a national investment paying off. 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," Ndung'u stated.

"This partnership with Safaricom Hook has shown that when we decentralise 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."

The graduation is part of PLP’s 1MillionDevs4Africa campaign, a Pan-African effort to train one million software developers and connect them to meaningful economic opportunities.

Safaricom’s Chief Consumer Business Officer Fawzia Ali-Kimanthi spoke about the company’s vision for empowering young people.

“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,” Ali-Kimanthi said.

"Through this partnership, we’re not just training coders, we're nurturing thinkers, builders, and creators who will drive Kenya’s innovation agenda and solve challenges at both a national and global scale."

PLP has called on employers, government agencies, and investors to work with its Talent Hub, which links graduates to jobs, internships, freelance opportunities, and business support.

Ndung’u urged the private sector and ecosystem players to bridge the gap between training and employment.

“Africa doesn’t have a talent problem, it has a deployment problem. Across the continent, young people are gaining the right digital skills, but too many remain disconnected from real economic opportunities," Ndung'u added.

"We’re calling on employers, investors, and ecosystem leaders to step forward, not just to support training, but to actively recruit, engage, and integrate this ready pipeline of talent. If we align education with industry, Africa will lead not just in workforce numbers, but in innovation, execution, and impact."

Following the success of this cohort, PLP has announced that applications are now open for its June 2025 intake, as it accelerates its mission to build Africa’s digital economy by training 1 million young developers.

Prospective applicants between the ages of 18 and 35, with a keen interest in technology and digital transformation, are encouraged to apply via powerlearnprojectafrica.org/applications before the deadline on June 21, 2025.