Thirty-nine students from underserved communities in Kenya have recently graduated from the LIFE Legacy Programme, an initiative spearheaded by Paradigm Initiative (PIN), a pan-African non-governmental organisation.

This marks a significant step towards addressing the unemployment challenge in the country.

The students completed a 10-week training course that covered Life Skills, ICT Skills, Financial Readiness, and Entrepreneurship Skills.

These graduates, from Cohorts One and Two, received their certificates at a ceremony held at Strathmore University in Nairobi.

The event was attended by Timothy Were, ICT Deputy Director at the Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, who highlighted the importance of digital skills in the current economy.

“The LIFE Legacy Programme represents more than a training course; it embodies a powerful vision of empowerment, inclusion, and opportunity… By focusing on digitally excluded individuals who lack skills, confidence, and opportunities, this programme is contributing towards bridging the digital divide and unlocking the potential of young people from underrepresented backgrounds,” Were stated.

Alphonce Odhiambo, Founder of Gonline Africa, also spoke at the event, emphasising the need for continued support for the youth. He pointed out the crucial role of digital sector organisations in collaborating to position young people within the digital economy.

Khadijah El-Usman, Paradigm Initiative’s Senior Programmes Officer for Anglophone Africa, provided insights into the origins and impact of the LIFE Legacy Programme.

She highlighted its positive influence on underserved communities across the continent. Additionally, Judith Ogutu, Paradigm Initiative’s Communications Manager, discussed the organisation’s broader mission.

Beyond the LIFE Legacy Programme, PIN advocates for digital rights, contributes to policy development and monitors the state of digital rights and inclusion in Africa.

Ogutu presented several digital advocacy tools, including Ayeta, Ripoti, the Londa report, and short films inspired by the report.

The LIFE Legacy Programme was launched in 2007 in Ajegunle, Nigeria, and has since expanded to multiple African nations.

Since its inception in Kenya in September 2023, the programme has trained 80 youths from Kibera in Nairobi and Tana River in Coastal Kenya, equipping them with essential skills for the digital age.

This comprehensive training aims to create opportunities for youth to access internships, online work, or entrepreneurial ventures, enabling them to earn immediate and sustainable income.

The programme, currently implemented in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, and Zimbabwe, has impacted the lives of more than 150,000 young Africans, fostering a generation of digitally skilled and economically empowered individuals.