Safaricom and PLP Graduate 300 Youth in Tech Program, Boosting Kenya’s Digital Talent Pipeline

Power Learn Project Africa (PLP), in partnership with Safaricom’s youth platform, Safaricom Hook, has today celebrated the graduation of 300 young Kenyans from a transformative nationwide software development program. The initiative, launched in October 2024, is part of a broader effort to bridge the digital divide and cultivate a generation of homegrown tech innovators.

Dubbed the PLP x Safaricom Hook Tech Cohort, the 16-week fully funded program drew participants from all 47 counties, underscoring a commitment to decentralize access to digital skills and ensure that youth from across the country not just urban centers contribute to Kenya’s digital future.

Participants were trained in front-end and back-end development, participated in hackathons, and received mentorship in a practical, project-based learning environment aimed at preparing them for the evolving digital economy.

“This is more than a graduation it’s proof of what’s possible when we invest in inclusive innovation,” said Mumbi Ndung’u, Executive Director of PLP. “Our mission is to equip young Africans with the tools to thrive, wherever they are.”

The program is a flagship of PLP’s 1MillionDevs4Africa campaign, which aims to train one million developers continent-wide and link them to employment, entrepreneurship, and upskilling opportunities.

Safaricom’s Chief Consumer Business Officer, Fawzia Ali-Kimanthi, emphasized the company’s commitment to nurturing a digital-first generation. “We’re not just training coders we’re empowering Kenya’s next builders, thinkers, and problem-solvers,” she said.

With applications now open for the June 2025 intake, PLP is also calling on corporates, startups, and government agencies to recruit talent via the PLP Talent Hub and help scale impact.

“Africa doesn’t have a talent problem it has a deployment problem,” Ndung’u stressed.