Call for Applications: UN Women’s African Girls Can Code & EmpowerHER and Allies Mentorship Movement 2026

About the Initiative

On International Girls in ICT Day, as girls and young women worldwide are being celebrated, UN Women’s commitment to closing the digital gender gap and expanding opportunities for the future generation of women in technology has been reaffirmed. To mark this occasion, the virtual edition of the African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI) has been proudly relaunched by UN Women in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the African Union Youth Division. Young women aged 18+ are the target audience for this program, which offers a structured, story-driven curriculum delivered in English, French, and Portuguese. Since its launch, the African Girls Can Code Initiative has served as a flagship program for empowering young women across Africa with digital skills. Through this virtual edition, access has been extended to even more young women regardless of their location, enabling foundational and advanced tech skills to be built from anywhere with an internet connection.

Curriculum Coverage

A comprehensive range of topics is covered by the AGCCI virtual program, including:

Africa’s Agenda 2063 and Vision-Building:

• The continent’s development framework should be understood
• Personal goals should be aligned with Africa’s transformation agenda

Design Thinking, Business Model Canvas, and Computational Thinking:

• Human-centered design can be used for problem-solving
• Ideas should be structured into viable projects
• Logical and analytical thinking for technology development is essential

Coding, Programming, and Tech Development:

• Scratch programming for beginners
• Web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
• Internet of Things (IoT) and Robotics

Creative Tech and Design:

• Animation and gaming
• Graphic design through technology
• Fashion design using digital tools

Digital Safety and Rights:

• Cybersecurity fundamentals
• Online safety practices
• Data literacy
• Human rights in the digital age

Program Benefits

Participants will benefit from several enriching additions to this learning journey:

• EmpowerHER & Allies Mentorship Masterclasses – Mentorship sessions with industry experts, sponsored by Siemens, provide guidance on career pathways, skill development, and navigating the tech industry
• Mentorship Circles – Inspiring AGCCI alumni peer mentors who have graduated from UN Women AGCCI face-to-face camps lead these circles, offering relatable guidance and support from those who have completed the journey
• A Supportive Global Community – The next generation of women in tech is empowered through peer connections, networking, and ongoing support

Why This Initiative Matters

A persistent challenge across Africa remains the digital gender gap. Access to the internet, digital skills training, and tech careers is more limited for women and girls than for their male counterparts. Economic opportunities are constrained, access to information is restricted, and innovation is hampered by these disparities.

These disparities are addressed by the African Girls Can Code Initiative through several approaches:

• Free, accessible training is provided – Financial barriers to digital skills development are removed
• A structured curriculum is offered – Skills are built progressively, moving from foundational to advanced levels
• Connections with mentors are facilitated – Guidance from both industry experts and alumni peer mentors is provided
• Confidence is built – Young women are empowered to see themselves as creators rather than merely consumers of technology
• Community is created – A pan-African network of young women in tech who support one another is fostered

By investing in the digital skills of young African women, not only are economic opportunities opened for individuals, but the continent’s broader development goals under Agenda 2063 are also advanced.

Participation Details

• Cost: Free – both the courses and the mentorship programme are fully virtual and free of charge
• Language: English, French, and Portuguese are available
• Target Audience: Young women aged 18+ across Africa are invited to participate

How to Register

For registration for African Girls Can Code Initiative 2026, use the registration link

Registration Link: Click here

Alternatively, the QR code in the official announcement can be scanned to register. The QR code is also attached to this post.