In a continent pulsating with technological potential, a quiet revolution is taking root. The TechMinds Girls Empowerment Foundation (TMG Empower), in just one year, has emerged as a critical architect of a more inclusive digital future for Africa. By targeting the most potent, yet often overlooked, resource—the minds of young women—the foundation is systematically dismantling the barriers that have kept girls on the sidelines of innovation.
Founded in 2024, TMG Empower has already equipped hundreds of girls across Nigeria and the continent with more than just coding skills; it has armed them with a radical new belief in their own potential. “We don’t just train girls in tech; we build innovators, entrepreneurs, and future policymakers,” asserts Ndidiamaka Udeaja, the foundation’s Founder and Executive Director. The mission is clear: to replace systemic exclusion with a robust ecosystem of skills, mentorship, and opportunity.
The Mindset First Methodology
What distinguishes TMG Empower is its foundational principle: technology cannot be built on a fragile sense of self. The foundation’s programs begin not with a keyboard, but with a conversation. “If a girl doesn’t believe she belongs in tech, no amount of training will help her thrive,” Udeaja explains. This “mindset re-engineering” tackles imposter syndrome and cultural conditioning head-on, ensuring that when a girl finally writes her first line of code, she does so with the unshakable conviction that she belongs in the room.
This philosophy is brought to life through flagship initiatives like Tech Her Up and Power Skill Booster, which offer a dual curriculum of hard technical skills—from AI and data science to cybersecurity—and the essential soft skills needed for leadership and entrepreneurship.
From Student to Author: Tangible Transformations
The proof of this model lives in the stories of its participants. Onyekwere Nmesoma Chiamaka, a registered nurse, found her career trajectory completely reshaped. Through TMG Empower, she gained hands-on data analysis skills in Excel and Power BI, transforming her from a healthcare professional into a data-confident leader.
Another beneficiary, Bishe Sulei Yerima, channeled her digital training into publishing her first e-book. These testimonials underscore the foundation’s core belief: that technical skills, when coupled with fortified self-belief, can unlock unforeseen career paths and creative ventures.
Building a Physical and Political Foundation for the Future
TMG Empower’s commitment extends beyond the digital realm. To mark its first anniversary, the foundation announced university scholarships and donated ten desktop computers to Mother of Mercy Girls Secondary School in Anambra State—a tangible investment in bridging the infrastructure gap in underserved communities.
Furthermore, the organization is leveraging its growing influence for systemic advocacy. It is actively supporting legislative efforts to create government frameworks that protect and promote women’s participation in Nigeria’s tech sector, aiming for policy changes that will ensure long-term, widespread impact.
A Call to Co-Create an Inclusive Future
As TMG Empower steps into its second year, its vision is expansive. The foundation is actively seeking partnerships with schools, tech companies, and development organizations. These collaborations can take many forms—from sponsoring a girl’s education and providing volunteer mentors to offering internships that bridge the gap between training and employment.
The ultimate goal is audacious yet simple: to cultivate a generation where African girls are not just users of technology, but its creators, CEOs, and inventors. “When you empower a girl with technology,” Udeaja concludes, “you transform families, communities, and economies.” In the hands of these young women, Africa’s digital destiny is being recoded to be not just innovative, but powerfully inclusive.
