Introduction
Global technology company Zoho has joined forces with She Code Africa (SCA), a leading non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and upskilling African women in the tech industry. This collaboration aims to introduce SCA Academy trainers to Zoho Creator, Zoho's low-code app development platform, through comprehensive Train the Trainer sessions.
Empowering Trainers to Educate Students
Under this partnership, Zoho will conduct in-depth training sessions for 30 female trainers from the SCA Academy as part of the 'Young Creators Program' (YCP). These trainers will gain the skills needed to build powerful applications using low-code technology, which they will subsequently impart to students associated with SCA. The training will take place at Zoho's office in Lagos, Nigeria, over three days and will include free access to the Creator platform for one year, along with training materials.
Supporting Local Communities and Promoting Sustainable Development
“At Zoho, we believe in supporting local communities by upskilling and hiring local talent, empowering local businesses with our technology, and promoting responsible and sustainable development,” said Kehinde Ogundare, Country Head, Zoho Nigeria. “Our growth strategy, known as transnational localism, embodies these values. In continuation of this commitment to support progress at the grassroots, we are partnering with She Code Africa to equip Nigerian students with critical tech skills.”
Bridging the Technical Skill Gap
Maryblessing Okolie, Community Manager at She Code Africa, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “The ‘Young Creators Program’ aims to bridge the technical skill gap and support talent-building for our youth who will be the next generation of leaders and professionals. We are glad to partner with Zoho to help our trainers learn the latest advancements in low-code technology, and then pass on the knowledge to our other students.”
About the Young Creators Program
Launched globally in 2022, the Young Creators Program is designed to equip future business leaders with advanced digital skills and foster technology innovation. The program offers participants access to Zoho Creator’s powerful platform, enabling them to build custom applications easily and seamlessly without extensive programming knowledge. Beyond skill development, the program boosts confidence, fosters personal growth, and opens doors to further opportunities in the technology industry. To date, the program has trained over 2,000 students on Zoho Creator globally, allowing participants to earn program completion certificates and exciting prizes.
She Code Africa’s Mission and Community Impact
She Code Africa is a non-profit organization focused on celebrating and empowering young girls and women in technology across Africa through training, workshops, scholarships, mentorship, and more. With a thriving community of over 51,000 members and an ambitious goal to empower 100,000 girls by 2030, She Code Africa is at the forefront of bridging the gender gap in the tech industry.
Zoho’s Continued Support for Startups
Eight months ago, Zoho announced a partnership with StartupSouth as part of its Zoho for Startups program. This initiative aims to support the development of startups from South and South-East Nigeria. Startups associated with StartupSouth can avail of Zoho Wallet credits worth ₦470,000, which can be used to purchase or upgrade any of Zoho’s 55+ products, including Zoho One. Zoho One offers a unified platform that integrates over 50 Zoho products, ranging from CRM to HR management.
Adhering to Data Protection Laws
Additionally, Zoho will provide its contract management solution, Zoho Contracts, free for three months to help businesses comply with the Nigeria Data Protection Law (NDPL). The NDPL mandates that all businesses ensure their contracts include provisions for data security and breach notifications, third-party vendors adhere to NDPA standards, and international contracts meet criteria for cross-border transfer of personal data.
Training and Scaling Opportunities
Startups will also receive training on leveraging Zoho’s products for growth, enabling them to scale easily and efficiently. This training is part of Zoho's broader commitment to support local businesses and foster sustainable development in the regions they operate.
