In a bid to drive innovation, sustainability, and economic growth, Junior Achievement Africa (JA Africa) and Boeing have unveiled two transformative programs in Nigeria and Togo aimed at equipping young people with critical skills for the future. These programs will focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and entrepreneurship, providing youth with the tools to thrive in these fast-growing sectors.
Empowering Girls in Nigeria through ‘Girls STEMpreneurship’
In Nigeria, the newly launched ‘Girls STEMpreneurship’ program will welcome 500 secondary school girls, who will gain hands-on experience in fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The top-performing teams will receive seed funding to bring their business ideas to life.
An immersive innovation camp will offer them an opportunity to build essential skills for future education, self-employment, or careers in STEM. This initiative is part of Boeing’s broader commitment to empowering women and scaling talent development across the African continent.
Fostering Entrepreneurship in Togo
Over in Togo, 600 senior secondary school students will participate in the ‘Company Programme’ model, learning how to start and manage their own businesses. This program will cover key aspects of entrepreneurship, including market research, financial management, and leadership.
The focus will be on creating innovative solutions to critical environmental challenges, nurturing the students’ business acumen while addressing pressing sustainability issues.
Building the Future of Africa’s Economy
The programs in both countries will culminate in local and regional events, where students will showcase their innovative ideas. Boeing employees will also have the opportunity to mentor selected teams and serve as judges during competitions, further bridging the gap between industry leaders and the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Boeing’s Continued Commitment to African Youth
Boeing’s involvement with Junior Achievement Africa has already reached over 5,000 young people across the continent, helping them unlock their potential. Kuljit Ghata-Aura, President of Boeing for Middle East, Türkiye, Africa, and Central Asia, expressed his confidence that these new initiatives in Nigeria and Togo will open doors for a new generation of talent and contribute to the economic development of the continent.
Empowering Africa’s Next Generation of Leaders
Simi Nwogugu, President and CEO of JA Africa, emphasized that this expanded partnership is not just about continuing their support but also about making a bold statement in belief of Africa’s youth. “Together with Boeing, we are not just helping young people imagine the future; we are empowering them to build it,” she said.
JA Africa and Boeing have been partners since 2021, working together to deliver entrepreneurship and sustainability programs across Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Madagascar, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and now Togo.
Positive Impact on the Youth
The results of this collaboration are already visible, with alumni of the programs launching businesses and becoming job creators in their communities. With Africa’s youth population growing rapidly, these initiatives are essential to ensuring that young people are equipped to drive the continent’s economic future.
