Power Learn Project opens applications for sixth cohort to boost digital talent

Power Learn Project Africa (PLP), the Pan-African social impact organisation focused on equipping young people with future-ready digital skills, has officially opened applications for its June 2025 tech training intake.

This marks the launch of its sixth cohort in a continent-wide mission to train a million developers across Africa.

The 16-week intensive software development program is fully funded and open to youth aged 18 and 35 with a passion for technology and a vision for digital transformation.

Designed to decentralise opportunity and make tech education accessible, the program targets learners from all 47 counties in Kenya, with plans to expand reach across Africa.

This announcement follows the successful graduation of 300 learners from the PLP x Safaricom Hook Tech Cohort, bringing the total number of graduates to 20,000 across Africa since the inception of the program in 2021.

The just-completed cohort provided training in front-end and back-end development, mentorship from industry professionals, real-world hackathons, and exposure to project-based learning—all designed to prepare participants for the demands of the modern digital economy.

“This is more than a learning program; it’s a talent movement,” said Mumbi Ndung’u, Executive Director of Power Learn Project Africa.

“We are not just teaching skills — we are building a workforce that will define Africa’s digital future. The opening of our sixth cohort reflects the demand, the progress, and the possibilities ahead.”

PLP’s initiative is part of the #1MillionDevs4Africa campaign, which seeks to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity by creating pathways to employment, entrepreneurship, and upskilling.

With the support of partners like Safaricom Hook, the program is demonstrating how cross-sector collaboration can accelerate digital inclusion and drive economic resilience.

“Through Safaricom Hook’s partnership with Power Learn Project, we are equipping young people with the digital skills and tools they need to lead innovation and shape the continent’s digital future. This graduation is a celebration of youth-led innovation and a testament to the transformative power of technology, mentorship, and opportunity,” said Fawzia Ali-Kimanthi, Chief Consumer Business Officer at Safaricom PLC.

To ensure long-term impact, PLP operates the PLP Talent Hub, a platform that connects graduates to real economic opportunities, including jobs, internships, freelance gigs, and startup support.

PLP is now calling on employers, tech companies, development partners, and policymakers to leverage this talent pipeline and invest in Africa’s innovation economy.

“Africa doesn’t have a talent gap—it has a deployment gap,” added Ndung’u. “The skills are becoming more and more available. We are calling on employers and investors to step forward and engage this ready, capable, and committed generation.”

The sixth cohort of the 16-week immersive software development program is set to begin in June 2025.