Elite Global AI, Ikpia Women Empowerment Initiative partners, launches AI Women Rising Program

For centuries, the African woman has been a symbol of resilience, strength, and unyielding determination. Yet, in the 21st century, she continues to face systemic barriers that hold her back—both at home and in the workplace.

Across the continent, women are disproportionately excluded from leadership positions, sidelined in male-dominated industries like technology, and undervalued in corporate environments. These disparities are not just numbers; they are stories of dreams deferred, potential untapped, and futures compromised.

In Nigeria, women occupy only 17% of senior leadership roles, even though they make up nearly half of the workforce.

In South Africa, only 23% of STEM roles are held by women, with far fewer represented in artificial intelligence (AI) and tech. Globally, just 22% of AI professionals are women. Across Africa, 43% of women feel undervalued in their professional environments.

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This underrepresentation extends beyond individual careers—it impacts communities, economies, and the continent’s ability to thrive in a digital age.

Recognizing the urgent need for change, Elite Global AI, a subsidiary of the Elite Global Intelligence Technology in collaboration with the Blessing Ikpia Women Empowerment Initiative, has launched the AI Women Rising program. The initiative aims to equip African women with essential AI skills, empower their entrepreneurial pursuits, and break down barriers in one of the world’s most transformative industries.

The AI Women Rising program mission is to ensure that no woman’s voice is silenced, no dream remains unfulfilled, and no ambition is left unrealized,” says Blessing Ikpia, the Lead Director of the Initiative.

The program’s focus is clear: to empower marginalized women, particularly those from underserved regions, with high-demand AI skills, job readiness training, and entrepreneurial tools. By doing so, it seeks to address both gender inequality and economic disparity, creating a ripple effect that benefits families, communities, and entire economies.

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The initiative is designed to meet women where they are, removing barriers to access and tailoring its curriculum to local realities.

Participants are taught the fundamentals of AI, machine learning, and data analysis with a focus on practical applications. Whether it’s using AI for crop monitoring in agriculture, improving patient outcomes in healthcare, or automating processes in small businesses, the program ensures that women gain skills they can immediately apply.

With the help of Elite Global AI’s job simulation tools, participants build resumes, hone interview skills, and master workplace communication. This training prepares them to step confidently into real-world opportunities.

Women learn how to leverage AI tools to grow small businesses, from customer analytics to marketing automation. Case studies of successful African women entrepreneurs serve as inspiration and proof of what’s possible.

Each participant is paired with a mentor from a Fortune 500 company or a successful entrepreneur, ensuring they have guidance and support throughout their journey. Networking events connect participants with potential employers and investors, opening doors to new possibilities.

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To ensure accessibility, the program combines online training with in-person workshops. For women in areas with limited internet access, preloaded offline content on tablets is provided, ensuring no one is left behind.

The pilot phase of AI Women Rising aims to train 1,000 women in its first year, with a projected job placement or entrepreneurial success rate of 70% within six months.

The impact goes beyond individual success stories, Household incomes are expected to increase by at least 50% post-training. By Year 2, participants will create at least 500 new jobs through entrepreneurship initiatives.

Source: Legit.ng