In a bold stride toward bridging the gender gap in technology and nurturing the next generation of innovators, Interswitch, a leading African technology-driven company, has partnered with the Thrive Above and Beyond Foundation to deliver an intensive, hands-on STEM education programme for young girls.
The 7-day THRIVE Girls in STEM Programme, powered by Thrive Above and Beyond Foundation—a Nigerian nonprofit dedicated to empowering girls from underserved communities—was a dynamic, Montessori-style bootcamp that provided female students aged 16–20 with vital digital skills and exposure to the world of tech. Additional support came from Wema Bank and Sara by Wema, reinforcing a strong coalition for girls' empowerment.
Hands-on Learning for Real-World Impact
Delivered through practical, learner-centered sessions, the bootcamp covered: Data organization and text formatting. HTML basics and interactive web design. And web accessibility and optimization techniques.
Participants were also equipped with tech starter kits, devices, and internet-enabled resources, courtesy of Thrive Above and Beyond and its partners. The programme concluded with a final project showcase, where students presented innovative, real-world tech solutions—demonstrating both technical acumen and creative problem-solving.
Yemisi Owonubi, Head of Masterbrand, Communications, and CSR at Interswitch, highlighted the alignment of the initiative with the company’s broader vision: “At Interswitch, we believe in a prosperous Africa powered by its youth. We’re
