The Patoranking Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing Africa through education, entrepreneurship, and empowerment, has launched the $500,000 Patoranking Foundation Tech Scholarships.
In a strategic partnership with ALX Africa, a leading tech training provider, these scholarships will provide 40 young, tech-savvy Africans with access to transformative technology programs in data analytics, cloud computing, and Salesforce Administration.
This partnership aims to prepare scholars to become the next pioneers in technology. Moreover, the Patoranking Foundation, founded by African musician Patrick Okorie, also known as Patoranking, leverages research, advocacy, and partnerships to offer transformative educational programs and market-ready entrepreneurial skills to outstanding young leaders in Africa.
Having invested over $1 million in youth education in Africa over the past six years, the introduction of this $500,000 tech scholarship marks a new chapter in the Foundation’s mission.
Details about the scholarship
Furthermore, these candidates, ideally already changemakers in their communities, will have the opportunity to qualify for internship opportunities with leading global tech companies, thereby bridging the gap between theory and real-life practice.
Patrick Okorie, founder of the Patoranking Foundation, commented on the partnership: “At the Patoranking Foundation, we dedicate ourselves to advancing Africa through education and entrepreneurship.” In the past, we have provided academic scholarships to exceptional African students at all levels and have now partnered with ALX Africa to offer technology scholarships.
We are delighted to partner with ALX Africa, as they share our commitment to empowering tomorrow’s leaders through access to advanced digital skills essential for future employability and entrepreneurship. This step brings us closer to our goal of equipping one million Africans within the next 10 years. We believe in the abundance of exceptional talents and changemakers in Africa and will continue to challenge the financial inequalities that hinder the emergence of the next generation of African disruptors.”
The Patoranking Foundation has leveraged partnerships to provide promising young leaders with access to leading educational institutions under its Sky Level Initiative. In 2020, the Foundation awarded full scholarships to 10 scholars from eight African countries, including Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Liberia, enabling them to study at the African Leadership University (ALU) in Rwanda or Mauritius. At the primary and secondary education levels, 170 young pupils are currently on scholarship in five leading schools in Ebonyi state, Nigeria, the founder’s home state.
This $500,000 tech partnership with ALX Africa is open to youths from all parts of Africa, aged between 18 and 34, at no cost, with all related fees covered. Beneficiaries can choose to learn fully remotely or at any of ALX Africa’s hubs in Johannesburg, Accra, Lagos, Casablanca, Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Kigali, or Cairo.
Fred Swaniker, celebrated educator, entrepreneur, and founder of ALX Africa, commented on the partnership: “In today’s world of AI and Big Data, young people need to be prepared for uncertainty; they need to be agile and adaptable. We built ALX’s tech programs around our belief in reimagining and redesigning skills training to meet the challenges and opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.” Through our collaboration with the Patoranking Foundation, we aim to empower tomorrow’s tech disruptors and innovative community leaders with the most in-demand hard and soft skills to solve the problems of the continent and beyond.”
Read also: NITDA/COURSERA Scholarship Programme (Cohort 3) Is Open For Applications.
Patoranking continues to leverage his influence to nurture Africa’s entrepreneurial passion, accelerating transformative change across nations and the continent. By selecting resilient and innovative community changemakers for the tech scholarships, the Patoranking Foundation equips Africa’s young leaders with essential digital skills to scale local impact and provides them with valuable connections for collaborations.
Through its concerted efforts, the Foundation hopes to create a ripple effect of change, empowering the youth to become architects of their own futures and catalysts for progress within their communities. To apply, please visit the Foundation’s website.
