A significant initiative, the ElevateHer AI programme, which originated as a local AI skilling effort in South Africa, is now expanding its reach across the African continent. This ambitious expansion is a collaborative effort between Women in Tech South Africa, Absa Group, and Microsoft Elevate, aiming to introduce the programme to nine additional African markets. ElevateHer AI is specifically designed as a digital literacy programme to equip women with practical, hands-on artificial intelligence (AI) skills. These skills are intended to be directly applicable in various contexts, including workplaces, businesses, and communities, thereby fostering greater participation and empowerment.

Following its successful launch in South Africa in September 2025, the initiative has already demonstrated remarkable impact, having trained over 10,000 learners. This substantial number not only highlights a strong demand for AI skills but also underscores the program's effectiveness. It signifies a crucial shift where access to vital AI knowledge is no longer confined to global technology hubs or specialized institutions. The combined influence of Absa's extensive pan-African presence, Microsoft's robust Elevate AI skilling platform, and Women in Tech’s well-established community networks is paving the way for women across Africa to access one of the most critical skill sets shaping the future of work.

Absa Group Limited, a prominent diversified financial services group in Africa, plays a pivotal role in this scaling effort. The firm, listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, offers a comprehensive suite of products and services spanning personal, business, corporate, and investment banking, as well as wealth management and insurance. According to Absa, the expansion of ElevateHer AI aligns with crucial global discussions, including those held at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this year, which emphasized the urgent need to address global AI skills gaps. The goal is to ensure that emerging economies are adequately prepared to participate meaningfully in an AI-driven future.

Absa affirmed that through the ElevateHer AI programme, it is leveraging its pan-African footprint alongside Microsoft’s Elevate AI skilling platform and Women in Tech’s deep community networks to provide women with practical, job-relevant AI skills. The banking group highlighted that ElevateHer supports employability, entrepreneurship, and broader economic participation, empowering women not only to utilize AI but also to actively influence its application within their respective industries, communities, and economies. This scaling of the programme beyond South Africa reinforces a shared commitment among the partners to responsible AI adoption, gender inclusion, and sustainable skills development. For Absa, this initiative also reflects a broader institutional commitment to fostering inclusion and developing future-ready skills across its operations throughout Africa.

Tamu Dutuma, Head of Strategy and Transformation – Technology, Africa Regions at Absa, emphasized the growing importance of digital confidence, equating it with financial literacy in its potential to transform how individuals work and lead. She stated, “This partnership allows us to equip our employees and communities across the continent with the AI skills they need to thrive. Diversity and inclusion remain core to Absa’s purpose, and programmes like ElevateHer help ensure that no one is left behind as technology advances.” Upon successful completion of the programme, participants are awarded Microsoft-verified badges, which can be showcased on social media and professional platforms. This serves as a significant signal of competence and readiness in a rapidly evolving global job market.

Microsoft views this initiative as a component of a much larger global responsibility. Tiara Pathon, AI Skills Director for Microsoft Elevate at Microsoft South Africa, articulated this perspective, noting, “As highlighted during the World Economic Forum in Davos, inclusive economic growth in the age of AI depends on building skills at scale in emerging markets. For Africa, this requires deliberate investment in women’s AI capabilities.”

Women in Tech South Africa, a registered non-profit organization, is central to driving AI access in Africa. Their mission is to empower five million women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) by 2030, and they continue to champion gender inclusion and digital access across the continent. Beyond ElevateHer AI, Microsoft and the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) recently announced a partnership to provide free, accredited AI and digital skills learning via the SABC Plus app. This initiative aims to make future-ready skills accessible to millions of South Africans, including those who may have limited access to laptops, data, or traditional learning platforms. Importantly, the Women in Tech South Africa’s partnership with Microsoft Elevate to create the ElevateHer platform is also designed to extend this opportunity to women and youth, not only in South Africa but throughout Africa, and will also be accessible via the SABC Plus App.

Melissa Slaymaker, Africa Regional Director at Women in Tech Global, commented on the expansion, observing, “Many women are eager to engage with AI but don’t always know where to start. ElevateHer AI gives participants the practical skills and confidence to use AI in their work, studies, and businesses.” The organization's core focus is on advancing gender diversity within the technology sector, promoting the participation of women and girls in STEM, and supporting initiatives aligned with global development priorities. The combined efforts of these partners underscore a powerful commitment to building a more inclusive and skilled African workforce for the AI era.