Sixty-two teenagers aged 12-17 have completed the Coding School in Dar es Salam, a program delivered by ThinkYoung and Boeing. The classes, held this month have empowered Tanzanian youth with advanced digital skills, creating new opportunities for their future careers.
The
Coding School is an enabler of Tanzania's economic transformation. By providing
internet connectivity to its young population and promoting STEM education,
Tanzania is investing in its emerging digital economy.
As
part of the program, ThinkYoung and Boeing connected the students with
professionals from the tech and aviation industries, providing the youth with
free of charge training in programming, robotics, and drone technologies. In
addition to digital skills, the participants also honed their communication and
presentation abilities.
Farhana
Magina, a 14-year-old alumna of the Coding School in Tanzania, shared her
experience: “It’s been such an incredible
opportunity to meet other students who share similar interests in STEM subjects
and to learn in such a fun environment”.
Kuljit Ghata-Aura, Boeing President in the
Middle East, Türkiye, Africa, and Central Asia, said: “Coding is regarded as a key skill for the 21st century and one of the
pathways into a fulfilling career in aerospace. It’s also incredibly exciting
and powerful to learn. We hope that this inaugural Coding School will
contribute to Tanzania’s efforts to provide even more kids with the tools,
resources, and inspiration they need to build the future they imagine is
possible.”
"We are
confident that the ThinkYoung Coding School in Tanzania will pave the way for
even more initiatives across the African continent," said Delila
Kidanu, Director of ThinkYoung Africa. "Each
year, we witness a growing number of applications, indicating the strong
foundation our program has established in Africa and the readiness for further
expansion. Since 2016, we have partnered with Boeing to support young people
worldwide with essential STEM skills."
Since
2019, ThinkYoung and Boeing have co-hosted coding schools in Ethiopia, Kenya,
Rwanda, and Tanzania, with a total of 640 students participating in the program
in Africa.
More
than 60% of the participants of the Coding School are girls. By breaking
stigmas, the program provides them with role models, early exposure to computer
science, and a supportive environment.
Boeing
has partnered with over 40 organizations and invested more than $22 million
since 2008 to drive systemic improvements in education and economic
transformation in Africa. In Tanzania, Boeing's community projects prioritize
STEM education, digital literacy, and women's empowerment.
By : Nana Appiah Acquaye
