Microsoft Launches Empower+ Digital Skills Platform for Young Women in Africa

Microsoft, together with the Education Plus initiative supported by UNAIDS, has introduced Empower+, a digital learning platform aimed at strengthening technology and artificial intelligence skills among young people in Africa. The platform was announced on March 10. It targets adolescent girls and young women across 21 countries and addresses long-standing disparities in access to digital training.

The platform is available online at no cost and can also be accessed through mobile devices. It includes modules covering basic digital literacy, introductory artificial intelligence skills, and practical guidance on using technology in professional environments. The programme also includes information on HIV awareness and prevention, reflecting the continued health challenges faced by many young women in sub-Saharan Africa.

Equipping Learners for a Digital Economy

Tiara Pathon, Director of AI Skills at Microsoft Elevate, said the initiative focuses on giving learners practical capabilities needed in modern workplaces. She noted that access to education and skills development remains one of the most effective ways for young people to participate in a technology-driven economy.

Demand for digital capabilities is expected to rise sharply across the region. The World Bank estimates that by 2030, roughly 230 million jobs in sub-Saharan Africa could require some level of digital competence. Participation in technology fields, however, remains uneven.

UNESCO data show that women and girls are 25% less likely than men to use digital tools for basic tasks. They are also four times less likely to have programming skills and thirteen times less likely to file patents in information and communication technologies.