A new initiative aimed at strengthening the role of women in the digital economy has been launched, with the goal of closing the gender gap in technology and supporting women-led businesses across Ghana.
The project, named DigiVibe, is spearheaded by the Oxford Africa Women Leadership Institute (OAWLI) and the WERise Network, working in collaboration with the German AFOS Foundation, the KNUST E-Learning Centre, and a number of other strategic partners.
DigiVibe is designed to provide at least 1,000 young women with decent digital employment opportunities, while also encouraging inclusive economic participation through the use of technology.
Over the course of the programme, the organisers aim to raise awareness of digital skills development among at least 4,000 students, provide ICT and soft skills training to more than 1,000 women, and involve over 45 companies in mentoring and placement opportunities. It is also targeting the transformation of 270 graduates into Junior Consultants, and the placement of over 400 women in technology-focused jobs and within the National Service Scheme.
The initiative, currently in its pilot phase and set to run for four years, seeks to tackle three key challenges facing young women in the workforce—namely the digital skills gap (D-Gap), lack of exposure to professional environments (E-Gap), and ongoing underrepresentation of women in ICT roles (G-Gap).
The programme brings together a broad coalition of business groups, academic institutions, and tech-sector partners to deliver training, consultancy experience, mentoring and job placement to female graduates.
At the launch event in Kumasi, Adwoa Fosua Owusu Ofori, Chief Executive Officer of Women’s Haven Africa and a key partner in the programme, explained the intention behind the project. “This is a tech-based programme that is intentionally female-focused. We are targeting women-led enterprises that want to integrate technology into their operations. We’re equipping young women with skills and then connecting them to businesses ready to innovate,” she said.
Eric Appau Asante, Director of the KNUST E-Learning Centre, also expressed the university’s commitment to the project’s aims. “Where we come in is our expertise, infrastructure and the environment we’ve built to support virtual learning and practical application,” he said.
He also spoke about the need to shift attitudes around women in technology. “A few years back, we observed that many women shied away from technology, believing it was a male-dominated space. But I keep stressing that women can lead in tech—and often do it better. They are patient, adaptable and eager to understand how systems work. These are essential traits for mastering technology,” he stressed.
