500 Young Women Begin AGCCI Phase II Learning Journey in Data Analytics and Cybersecurity
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UN Women Ethiopia, the Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MiNT), and ALX Ethiopia officially welcomed 500 young women selected for Phase II of the African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI) Ethiopia on 23 May 2026. The onboarding ceremony, held at the ALX Tech Hub in Addis Ababa, marked the beginning of the learners’ journey in Data Analytics and Cybersecurity, two fields that are increasingly shaping the future of work and Ethiopia’s growing digital economy.
The event brought together representatives from UN Women Ethiopia, MiNT and ALX Ethiopia to encourage the learners as they begin the programme. Speaking to the learners, Ms. Addisalem Befekadu, Programme Specialist at UN Women, encouraged them to stay committed, curious and confident. She reminded them that the onboarding ceremony was not only the start of a training programme, but the beginning of a journey into leadership, innovation and opportunity. She also encouraged the learners to break barriers and see themselves as future creators, innovators and leaders in Ethiopia’s digital economy.
Beyond technical training, the programme is designed to open doors to wider opportunities. Learners will have access to leadership bootcamps, public speaking training, and career readiness support, mentorship, networking opportunities, job fairs and hackathons organized jointly with ALX and partners such as MiNT. Successful participants may also benefit from wider mentorship and professional networks, including opportunities linked to Siemens EmpowerHer.
Representing the Ministry of Innovation and Technology, Mr. Seyoum Mengesha, Chief Executive Officer for Digital Economy Development, encouraged the learners to contribute to Digital Ethiopia 2030. He reassured them that Ethiopia’s technology space is accelerating and will continue to create opportunities, emphasizing that women need to be at the center of this transformation.
From ALX Ethiopia, Ms. Meklit Baye welcomed the learners into the ALX community and encouraged them to make the most of the learning journey ahead. The ceremony also featured a graduate spotlight by Ms. Tsedenia Abebe, an ALX alumna, who shared her experience, the opportunities she gained after completing her training, and encouraged the new learners to remain focused, consistent and open to the possibilities ahead.
AGCCI Phase II in Ethiopia builds on the commitment of UN Women and partners to ensure that women and girls are not only users of technology, but also creators, innovators and leaders. The initiative aims to equip 500 young women with market-relevant digital skills and pathways to employment, while contributing to a more inclusive digital transformation in Ethiopia.
The onboarding ceremony closed with a clear message: these 500 young women are not only beginning a course — they are starting a journey to break tech barriers, build confidence and contribute to Ethiopia’s digital future.
The Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung — BMZ promotes the initiative with the support of the Agentur für Wirtschaft und Entwicklung — AWE.