TechUpRuralGirls: Empowering Rural Girls with 21st-Century Digital Skills
TECH UP RURAL GIRLS COHORT I & II
The Issue
In Nigeria, the digital gender gap continues to limit opportunities for young women. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (2022), women make up only 22% of Engineering and Technology graduates each year. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) further reports that over half of the world’s women still lack internet access, excluding millions from the digital economy. As 1 billion young people, including 600 million adolescent girls, prepare to enter the global workforce in the next decade, the gap is widening. The ONE Campaign and Centre for Global Development (2020) also found that only 30% of Nigerian tech companies are women-owned, and over one-third employ no women at all. In Ondo State, 60% of the tech-savvy population is male, reflecting this imbalance. Equipping rural girls with digital skills is therefore essential to close the gap, enhance employability, and foster inclusive, tech-driven growth.
“The rural-urban digital divide threatens to exclude millions of bright girls from the digital future. Bridging this gap is key to unlocking innovation, opportunity, and equality.”
TechUpRural Girls
Student giving testimonies
The Solution: Our Organizational Approach
TechUpRuralGirls (TURG) is a flagship initiative of the Slum and Rural Aid for African Child Development Initiative (SARAFACDI), designed to equip young girls in underserved rural communities with 21st-century digital skills and inspire their participation in the global digital economy.
The program bridges the rural digital gender divide by providing girls and teachers with accessible, practical, and mentorship-driven technology training that builds confidence, creativity, and leadership in the digital space.
Cohort I: Building the Foundation for Rural Digital Empowerment
The maiden edition of the program was held at Corpus Christi Secondary School, Ilawe-Ekiti, bringing together 30 female students (aged 13–23) and 10 teachers from various schools in the South West Local Government of Ekiti State. Over two days, participants received hands-on training across several digital fields, including Web Development, Robotics, UI/UX Design, Graphic Design, Social Media Management, Digital Marketing, Photography, and Cinematography, facilitated by industry experts and mentors.
Through this practical, interactive, and mentorship-driven model, TechUpRuralGirls empowers participants not just to use technology but to create with technology.
Our approach focuses on:
Providing accessible, hands-on digital education in local schools and community hubs.
Connecting learners with mentors and role models in the tech ecosystem.
Promoting gender equity by ensuring safe, inclusive, and inspiring learning spaces for girls.
Strengthening teacher capacity to support digital education beyond the event.
TURG I Gallery
Cohort II: Expanding Impact and Introducing AI-Powered Learning
In collaboration with GENEX-TED LTD
Building on the success of the first edition, the second cohort of TechUpRuralGirls was held in September 2025, in collaboration with GENEX-TED LTD deepening the program’s impact by introducing new modules in Artificial Intelligence (AI) Literacy, Data Analysis, and Digital Marketing, alongside the official launch of SABI AI, SARAFACDI’s innovative AI-powered learning platform designed for continuous, offline digital education.
A total of 30 girls and 10 teachers participated in the intensive, hands-on training facilitated by experienced instructors and partner organizations. The sessions were designed to strengthen foundational computer skills, promote digital creativity, and introduce participants to future-facing technologies.
Participants explored computer literacy, data analysis, digital marketing, and web development, gaining practical exposure to digital tools that enhance learning, creativity, and entrepreneurship. Through interactive activities and mentorship, they learned how to use technology not just for consumption but as a means of innovation and problem-solving.
“Today I learnt that I can use data to solve problems. I never imagined I could do that.” — Participant, TechUpRuralGirls II
The cohort also featured a photography and digital storytelling workshop, encouraging self-expression and creativity through visual media. In addition, participants were introduced to AI literacy, where they explored how artificial intelligence powers everyday tools and how it can be leveraged to create opportunities for education and entrepreneurship.
A major highlight of the program was the official launch of the SABI AI platform, unveiled by Blessing Tunde Dada, SARAFACDI’s Founder. The platform aims to provide children and teachers in rural communities with access to localized, offline digital learning resources that support continued education beyond the camp.
TURG II Gallery
Key Objectives
- Bridge the Rural Digital Gender Gap
Equip girls in underserved rural communities with both foundational and advanced digital skills, ensuring equitable access to technology and closing the persistent gender divide in digital literacy and participation. - Foster Digital Creativity and Innovation
Provide hands-on, project-based learning experiences that encourage problem-solving, innovation, and creative use of digital tools — helping girls transform ideas into tangible tech-driven solutions for their communities - Promote Technology-Driven Career Pathways
Introduce participants to diverse opportunities in STEM and digital entrepreneurship through mentorship, exposure visits, and real-world projects, empowering them to envision and pursue careers in the digital economy. - Empower Teachers and Mentors as Local Champions
Build the capacity of rural teachers and youth mentors to integrate digital learning into classroom activities, creating a sustainable ecosystem of digital education and continuous skill development within their communities. - Inspire Confidence, Leadership, and Inclusion
Nurture self-belief, teamwork, and leadership skills among girls, positioning them not just as learners but as changemakers and future leaders in the evolving tech landscape.
Impact Metrics
Indicator | Result |
Location | Ekiti and Ondo State |
Host Schools | Corpus Christi College, Ilawe, Ekiti (Cohort I) Fiwasaye Girls Grammar School, Akure (Cohort II) |
Girls Trained | 60 rural girls aged 13–23 equipped with foundational digital skills |
Teachers Engaged | 20 teachers trained on integrating digital learning into classrooms |
Facilitators, Mentors, & Volunteers | 40 experts from diverse tech fields volunteered |
Digital Tracks Covered | Web Development (Coding), AI literacy, Robotics, UI/UX, Graphics, Data Analysis, Social Media, Marketing, Photography |
Community Reach | 1,500+ indirect beneficiaries through peer learning and local dissemination |
Key Partners
Key Outcomes
- 120 participants: 60 girls, 20 teachers, 22 facilitators, and 18 volunteers trained across Cohorts I & II in key digital skills, including computing, AI literacy, data analysis, and digital marketing.
- First-time digital exposure: Many participants used a computer for the first time, sparking curiosity, confidence, and enthusiasm for learning.
- Teacher capacity strengthened: Teachers gained practical knowledge to integrate digital tools and technology into classroom learning.
- Launch of SABI AI: Introduced SARAFACDI’s localized, AI-powered offline learning platform to support continuous digital education.
- Partnerships expanded: Collaboration deepened with the Ministry of Education, tech firms, and NGOs to enhance program reach and impact.
- Growing interest in STEM: An Increased number of girls expressing interest in pursuing technology and innovation-focused careers.
Conclusion
The TechUpRuralGirls program demonstrates the transformative power of digital education in unlocking the potential of rural girls and teachers. Through Cohorts I & II, participants gained hands-on experience in computing, AI literacy, data analysis, and digital marketing, skills that are vital for thriving in the 21st-century economy. For many, it was their first direct interaction with computers, marking the beginning of a lifelong journey of curiosity, confidence, and creativity. Teachers were equally empowered to integrate digital tools into their classrooms, ensuring sustained learning impact. The launch of SABI AI, SARAFACDI’s localized offline learning platform, further solidified the organization’s commitment to inclusive, technology-driven education. Strengthened partnerships with the government, private sector, and civil society reaffirm the program’s sustainability and scalability. Ultimately, TechUpRuralGirls is not just a training initiative; it is a movement inspiring young women to lead, innovate, and shape the future of Africa’s digital landscape.