Microsoft and the Education Plus initiative have launched Empower+, a free digital platform aimed at providing artificial intelligence and digital skills training to young people across 21 African countries.
The rollout, announced on March 10, targets primarily adolescent girls and young women, aiming to reduce gender disparities in access to technology education and boost digital inclusion in sub-Saharan Africa.
The platform offers a range of modules accessible via mobile devices and computers, covering digital literacy, emerging AI skills, and the application of technology in professional environments. Empower+ also integrates awareness and prevention content on HIV, a major public health concern affecting young women in the region, combining digital education with broader social learning.
“Access to education and skills is one of the most powerful drivers of opportunity. With Empower+, we want to enable learners to gain the knowledge to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world,” said Tiara Pathon, Director of Artificial Intelligence Skills at Microsoft Elevate.
The initiative comes amid rising demand for digitally skilled professionals in Africa. The World Bank projects that nearly 230 million jobs in sub-Saharan Africa will require digital competencies by 2030, highlighting the urgency of preparing the next generation for a technology-driven economy.
Despite this demand, gender gaps in digital access and skills remain substantial. According to UNESCO, women and girls in Africa are 25 percent less likely than men to use basic digital tools, four times less likely to know programming, and thirteen times less likely to hold patents in information and communication technologies (ICT).
By focusing on adolescent girls and young women, Empower+ aims to bridge these gaps, providing a foundation for greater participation in the digital economy and creating pathways to professional opportunities in sectors historically dominated by men.
The program also emphasizes practical skills and employability, equipping learners with the tools to engage in AI and technology-related careers, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
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Education Plus, in partnership with UNAIDS, seeks to ensure that training reaches underserved communities and addresses intersecting challenges such as health education and digital literacy.
Observers say initiatives like Empower+ are crucial for fostering economic inclusion and gender equity in Africa’s rapidly growing technology sector. They also highlight the importance of mobile-accessible digital learning, given that internet penetration and device ownership vary widely across the continent.
“Digital education is no longer optional — it is essential for young Africans to thrive in the 21st-century economy. Programs like Empower+ will help unlock opportunities for girls and young women, ensuring they are not left behind in the technology revolution,” said regional education analysts.
With its focus on AI, digital skills, and social awareness, Empower+ represents a multi-dimensional approach to youth development, combining technical training with the knowledge and support needed to navigate both professional and societal challenges.
The platform is expected to scale rapidly across participating countries, with potential to transform the prospects of millions of young Africans and to support a more inclusive, gender-balanced workforce in the region’s digital economy.
