Women in 10 African countries are set to benefit from an expanded programme to equip them with artificial intelligence (AI) skills.

The ElevateHer initiative, which was piloted in South Africa in late 2025 and reached more than 10 000 students, will now be expanded to nine more countries, reports Africa Business Communities.

The initiative, a collaboration between Absa, Microsoft Elevate and Women in Tech (WiT), aligns with the call made at the recent World Economic Forum to close the AI skills gap.

The project leverages Absa’s strong footprint on the continent; it has an on-the-ground presence in 10 African markets – Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

With a strong focus on employability, entrepreneurship and economic participation, the programme equips participants with hands-on experience of AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot. Participants are each presented with a Microsoft badge, a digital credential that validates their new skills for potential employers.

‘Digital confidence is becoming just as important as financial literacy, and it can transform how people work and lead,’ says Tamu Dutuma, Absa’s head of strategy and transformation for technology.

Meanwhile, WiT Women in Tech, which aims to empower 5 million women and girls in STEAM subjects by 2030, believes the expansion of the initiative is a vital tool for promoting leadership, according to Melissa Slaymaker, regional director for WiT Global.

‘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,’ says Slaymaker.

10 February 2026
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