Microsoft and the Education Plus initiative on Thursday launched Empower+, a free digital platform providing artificial intelligence and digital skills training to African youth, with a special focus on adolescent girls and young women.
The platform, announced on March 10, targets learners in 21 African countries and is designed to reduce gender gaps in technology education while equipping youth with skills for the rapidly evolving digital economy. Mobile access ensures that users in remote or underserved regions can participate in the programs.
Modules offered by Empower+ cover basic digital literacy, emerging AI capabilities, and workplace technology applications. Training content is integrated with awareness and prevention materials on HIV, reflecting support from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), which partners in the initiative.
“Access to education and skills is one of the most powerful drivers of opportunity,” said Tiara Pathon, Director of Artificial Intelligence Skills at Microsoft Elevate. “With Empower+, we want to enable learners to gain the knowledge to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world.”
The launch comes amid growing demand for digital skills across sub-Saharan Africa. According to the World Bank, nearly 230 million jobs in the region will require digital competencies by 2030, underscoring the urgency of preparing young people for the labor market.
Gender disparities remain stark. UNESCO data show that women and girls are 25% less likely than men to use digital tools for basic purposes, four times less likely to know programming, and thirteen times less likely to hold ICT patents. Empower+ aims to address these gaps by prioritizing training for female learners.
Officials said the platform will allow participants to progress at their own pace, offering interactive lessons, assessments, and certificates upon completion. Beyond technical skills, Empower+ emphasizes digital literacy as a foundation for entrepreneurship, innovation, and career advancement in AI and other technology sectors.
Education Plus highlighted that the program is part of a broader strategy to leverage digital training as a tool for social inclusion and economic empowerment, particularly for women who face systemic barriers in accessing technology-related education and employment.
The initiative aligns with regional development priorities promoting youth employment, innovation, and the creation of a digitally skilled workforce. By equipping young people with AI and ICT competencies, Empower+ hopes to prepare them for future roles in industries increasingly shaped by technology.
“This initiative not only delivers skills but also builds confidence and resilience,” said an Education Plus spokesperson. “By focusing on young women, we are ensuring that the next generation of African innovators is inclusive and capable of shaping the continent’s digital economy.”
Empower+ reflects a growing trend of public-private partnerships in Africa aimed at closing the digital divide and fostering economic opportunities for underserved populations. Microsoft and Education Plus plan to monitor uptake, evaluate outcomes, and expand training offerings over time to meet evolving market needs.
By providing accessible, high-quality digital education and targeted support for female learners, the initiative represents a strategic effort to reduce inequality, promote technological literacy, and equip Africa’s youth to compete in the global digital economy.
