In a world increasingly shaped by technology, the future belongs to those who can build it.
For 16-year-old Aisha and dozens of girls like her, that future just became brighter, thanks to a bold collaboration between Interswitch, a leading African technology company, and the Thrive Above and Beyond Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to unlocking the potential of girls from underserved communities.
Their mission? Not just to teach code, but to spark curiosity, build confidence, and inspire leadership in the next generation of female innovators.
At the heart of this collaboration was the THRIVE Girls in STEM Programme, an immersive, Montessori-style bootcamp that ran for seven transformative days. Designed for girls aged 16 to 20, the programme opened doors to the world of STEM through hands-on learning, practical digital skills, and real-world problem-solving.
From the first keystroke to the final project showcase, participants explored everything from HTML basics to web accessibility and optimization.
They learned how to structure data, design interactive websites, and more, all in an environment that encouraged creativity and collaboration.
But it didn’t stop at the classroom.
With support from Thrive and partners like Wema Bank and Sara by Wema, each girl received a tech starter kit and internet-enabled devices to fuel their learning journeys long after the bootcamp ended. For many, it was the first time they had access to such tools, a powerful symbol of inclusion and possibility.
At the programme’s grand finale, the girls stood tall, presenting their own tech-driven solutions to real community challenges.
The room pulsed with energy, not just from the buzz of innovation, but from the confidence of young women who now saw themselves as creators, not just consumers, of technology.
For Yemisi Owonubi, head of Masterbrand, Communications and CSR at Interswitch, the partnership speaks to a larger mission:
“At Interswitch, we believe in a prosperous Africa, powered by our youth. We are proud to support initiatives that not only equip young people with essential STEM skills but also help close the gender gap in tech. Programmes like this are deeply aligned with our CSR priorities, and we’ll continue to invest in platforms that shape the innovators and problem-solvers of tomorrow.”
Bolaji John, Founder of Thrive Above and Beyond Foundation, echoed this vision:
“The THRIVE Girls in STEM Programme is about more than coding, it’s about cultivating leadership, curiosity, and innovation. Our goal is to demystify STEM for young girls, especially in underserved communities, and inspire them to become architects of their own future.”
This initiative is just one of the many ways Interswitch is actualizing its commitment to youth empowerment and digital literacy across Africa.
Through flagship platforms like InterswitchSPAK, the company continues to invest in the future, one young mind at a time.
And for girls like Aisha, that investment is already paying off.
