Safaricom Champions Inclusive Growth with Tech Re-skilling Programme for Persons with Disabilities

Programme to provide scholarships for youth with disabilities to study software engineering

Safaricom has launched an innovative tech re-skilling programme aimed at equipping young Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) with digital skills to boost their employability. This initiative aligns with Safaricom’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and enabling equitable participation in the digital economy.

Currently in its pilot phase, the programme will provide participants with a 23-week software engineering course at Moringa School, coupled with mentorship and career coaching. The training is tailored to prepare the students for meaningful careers in the IT sector.

“As we strive to become Africa’s leading purpose-led technology company by 2030, inclusivity is at the heart of our journey. Today, PWDs make up 3.3% of our workforce, and we aim to increase this to 3.5% through targeted initiatives like this re-skilling programme,” said Nyokabi Florence, Chief Human Resources Officer at Safaricom PLC.

The programme builds on the success of the 2022 IT Bridge Academy, hosted in collaboration with partners such as Sight Savers, NITA, United Disabled Persons of Kenya (UDPK), Three Talents, Accenture, and CISCO. This earlier initiative provided young PWDs passionate about IT with hands-on training and work experience.

Safaricom’s re-skilling programme is part of its broader Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategy, which aims to integrate inclusivity across the organisation—attracting, retaining, and developing talent while fostering meaningful engagement with customers and communities.