"As we expand our presence in the region, we are committed to ensuring that our growth contributes positively to the local economy, community and business ecosystem," says Premanand Velumani, associate director of strategic growth at Zoho MEA.

"This commitment underpins our growth strategy called transnational localism, wherein we strive to remain locally rooted while being globally connected. To achieve this, we are hiring locally, expanding our partner network and developing localised products," adds Velumani. 

"More importantly, we are investing in digital skills development initiatives for the youth to prepare them for future employment opportunities," Velumani says. 

Partnership with BabesGotBytes for Empowering Women and Girls

Zoho says that it is joining forces with BabesGotBytes to empower over 40 girls and women with digital skills through a comprehensive one-year boot camp.

This initiative is designed to bridge the skills gap and increase female representation in the tech sector by providing rigorous training for workplace readiness. The programme includes modules on:

  • digital literacy
  • website and mobile app development
  • UI / UX design, and
  • SQL. 

According to Zoho, participants will benefit from hands-on projects, mentorship from industry professionals, and access to a network of resources to enhance their readiness for both traditional employment and freelance opportunities.

"BabesGotBytes is excited to partner with Zoho to advance women's empowerment through technology education," says Phindiwe Nqanqaru, co-founder and director of operations.

"Our one-year boot camp is more than just a technical training programme; it's a comprehensive approach to nurturing creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By equipping women with both the technical expertise and the confidence to excel, we aim to address both the skills gap and the gender gap in the tech industry, paving the way for a more inclusive and innovative future," adds Nqanqaru.

Partnership with CodeTelligence for Bridging Skills Gap

Zoho adds that it has also partnered with CodeTelligence to empower youth who are from economically disadvantaged backgrounds with IT skills to help increase their employability.

As part of this initiative, Zoho will support a six-month boot camp for 36 young individuals. The boot camp will provide training in:

  • end-user computing
  • UI / UX designing
  • office administration, and
  • data science. 

Following the boot camp, the students will receive an additional six months of offline coaching to prepare them for entering the workforce as skilled employees, according to Zoho. 

"We are excited to collaborate with Zoho to provide transformative educational opportunities for the South African youth," says Keoikantse Tsholo Botlholo, founder and CEO of CodeTelligence. "Through this partnership, we aim to equip students with the skills necessary to excel in the digital age and contribute meaningfully to the tech industry."

Earlier in 2024, as part of the Young Creators Programme, Zoho conducted 'train the trainer' sessions for the teachers at CodeTelligence to train them to use Zoho Creator, the company's low-code app development platform.

The teachers will, in turn, train students at CodeTelligence to build powerful applications using low-code technology to solve real-life business problems, Zoho says.

"We find synergy with the mission of both BabesGotBytes and CodeTelligence in serving the underserved and providing educational opportunities to the talented youth of South Africa," says Andrew Bourne, regional head of Zoho Africa.

"Through upskilling initiatives such as these, technology can become a true driver of equality and opportunity. It can open doors for those who previously lacked access, effectively levelling the playing field," Bourne adds. 

Other Upskilling Initiatives in the Africa Region

Earlier in 2024, Zoho announced several other upskilling partnerships across the Africa region.

In Kenya, the company partnered with MOMO Pencils, a leading manufacturer of eco-friendly stationery in Nairobi, for the Hope for Literacy programme that works towards eradicating intergenerational poverty.

The programme aims to provide access to quality education for children from underserved communities, as well as spread awareness at schools about the importance of environmental sustainability and eco-conscious community development.

Zoho also partnered with J-Hub Africa, the digital innovation hub at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. The company will offer training for JKUAT technology students on how to leverage its cloud-based business applications. This upskilling initiative aims to equip students with essential technology skills, preparing them for the workforce across various industries.

In Nigeria, Zoho collaborated with She Code Africa, a leading non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering and upskilling African women in tech.

Zoho concludes that with this partnership, it will conduct 'train the trainer' sessions for SCA Academy trainers who, in turn, will train more students associated with SCA on how to build powerful applications using low-code.

For more information, visit www.zoho.com. You can also follow Zoho Corp on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, or on Instagram. 

*Image courtesy of contributor