Absa Expands ElevateHer AI programme Across Africa

As Africa’s digital economy continues to scale, demand for AI and digital skills is accelerating across the continent. Yet women remain underrepresented in technology-driven roles, despite growing participation and strong early adoption.

Absa, in partnership with Microsoft Elevate and Women in Tech (WiT), is extending the ElevateHer AI Program across 9 African markets. Following its successful launch in South Africa on 18 September 2025, the expansion marks a significant step in strengthening AI literacy and digital readiness across the continent—at a time when global leaders are increasingly calling for greater participation of the Global South in the AI economy.

This expansion aligns with global discussions, including those at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this year, which highlighted the urgent need to close global AI skills gaps and ensure emerging economies are equipped to participate meaningfully in an AI-driven future.

Through the program, Absa is leveraging its pan-African footprint alongside Microsoft’s Elevate AI skilling platform and Women in Tech’s deep community networks to equip women with practical, job-relevant AI skills. ElevateHer supports employability, entrepreneurship, and economic participation, enabling women not only to use AI, but to actively shape how it is applied within their industries, communities, and economies.

Powered by Microsoft Elevate, the commitment is to ensure that people are at the center of AI innovation, bringing together its solutions, skills, and philanthropic investments to empower education, nonprofit, and workforce partners with AI capabilities.  With over $4 billion pledged in cash and technology over five years, and a commitment to credential 20 million learners in the next two years, Microsoft Elevate supports K–12 schools, community colleges, non-profits, NGO/IGOs, and government agencies that drive the AI economy. 

Through ElevateHer, this support translates into free, practical AI skills designed to bridge the AI skills gap across different career stages, from students and employees to entrepreneurs. Participants learn how to generate ideas, write reports, use AI responsibly, and streamline everyday tasks using tools such as Microsoft Copilot.

Tamu Dutuma, Head of Strategy and Transformation Technology, Africa Regions at Absa, said, “Digital confidence is becoming just as important as financial literacy, and it can transform how people work and lead. This partnership allows us to equip our employees and communities across the continent with the AI skills they need to thrive. Diversity and inclusion remain core to Absa’s purpose, and programs like ElevateHer help ensure that no one is left behind as technology advances.”

Since the ElevateHer launch in South Africa, the training has reached over 10,000 learners. Upon completion, participants receive Microsoft badges confirming course completion, which can be shared on social media platforms and used to showcase the newly acquired skills.

“As highlighted during the World Economic Forum in Davos, inclusive economic growth in the age of AI depends on building skills at scale in emerging markets. For Africa, this requires deliberate investment in women’s AI capabilities,” says Tiara Pathon, AI Skills Director for Microsoft Elevate at Microsoft South Africa. “Through our partnership with Absa and Women in Tech, ElevateHer directly supports the global call for future‑ready skills, workforce resilience and responsible AI adoption. By equipping women across Africa with practical, job‑relevant AI skills, we are strengthening the continent’s participation in the digital economy and its role in shaping the future of work.”

Women in Tech, whose mission is to empower five million women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) by 2030, continues to champion gender inclusion and digital access in Africa.

The organization focuses on four core areas, Education, Business, Digital Inclusion and Advocacy, and sees this program as a powerful tool to build confidence, creativity, and leadership among women.

“Many women are eager to engage with AI but don’t always know where to start. ElevateHer AI gives participants the practical skills and confidence to use AI in their work, studies, and businesses,” said Melissa Slaymaker, Africa Regional Director, Women in Tech Global. The expansion of ElevateHer across nine African countries reflects the shared commitment of Absa, Microsoft, and Women in Tech to empower individuals with the tools, skills, and confidence needed to thrive in an AI-enabled world. Through this partnership, Absa continues to live its purpose of “empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together, one story at a time.”