Empowering Women in Tech: How the Vodacom Mozambique Foundation’s Partnership with Udacity Empowered more than 100 Women in Africa

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Overview

At Udacity, part of Accenture we believe in transforming potential into impact by providing job-ready digital skills through our programs. Our mission is to empower learners with in-demand skills that unlock career opportunities and drive economic growth.

Vodacom Mozambique, a leading telecom provider and digital enabler in Africa, shares the mission of fostering youth employment and future-proofing the workforce. Their vision aligns with Udacity's purpose of equipping ambitious learners with essential digital skills, ensuring they thrive in today’s evolving job market. The Vodacom Mozambique Foundation is one of the pillars of how Vodacom Mozambique brings this mission to life on the ground. As the company’s philanthropic and social investment arm, the Foundation is committed to building a digital society that is both inclusive and sustainable. The Foundation is dedicated to helping shape a better future for the country, its stakeholders, and especially underserved communities.

Company

Vodacom Mozambique Foundation

Nanodegrees

Business Analytics, Digital Marketing

Learning Style

Scholarship

100+

Women

With the opportunity to gain industry-relevant skills, access high-quality education, and increase their employability in the digital economy.

NPS

Reflecting exceptional satisfaction from participants.

73%

Of particpants

Graduated from Udacity Nanodegree program.

95%

Of graduates

Felt that the program has helped them advance towards their professional and personal goals.

87%

Of graduates

Feel empowered and confident that the skills they've gained will open doors to new jobs, freelancing opportunities, or promotions within just 6 months.

77%

Of graduates

reported increased confidence when applying for jobs.

Table Of Contents

Challenge

Barriers to tech education

Despite growing interest in technology and digital careers, women in Mozambique encounter several barriers that hinder their participation and success in the tech industry:

Limited Access to Digital Education: Mozambique continues to face major connectivity and affordability barriers, with only 23.2% of the population using the internet as of January 2024. These gaps disproportionately affect women by limiting their access to digital tools and online learning opportunities (Moving Mozambique Toward a Digital Future(opens in a new tab), DataReportal – Digital 2024: Mozambique(opens in a new tab)).
Financial Constraints: The costs associated with attending school—such as transport, uniforms, and materials—continue to prevent many children, particularly girls, from progressing in their education (Helping Half a Million Girls Stay in School in Mozambique(opens in a new tab)).
Female Underrepresentation in Tech: In Mozambique, women account for less than 10% of STEM graduates, reflecting deep-rooted societal and educational barriers (MDPI(opens in a new tab)).
Balancing Personal Responsibilities with Learning: Mozambique has one of the highest rates of child marriage in the world. These early life responsibilities—driven by poverty, gender inequality, and limited access to education—often prevent girls from continuing their studies (Mozambique Country Profile 2022(opens in a new tab)).

"Empowering women in a digital economy is key to driving not only our business forward but also Mozambique as a whole. Your training with Udacity places you at the forefront of the next industrial revolution. We believe that with this knowledge, you will drive the change needed in your communities and across the country."

Simon Karikari

CEO of Vodacom Mozambique

Solution

Vodacom Mozambique Foundation Scholarship Program

In a strategic move to bridge the gender gap in Mozambique's technology sector, the Vodacom Mozambique Foundation partnered with Udacity to launch a fully funded scholarship program. This initiative aims to equip Mozambican women with in-demand digital skills, focusing on the Business Analytics and Digital Marketing Nanodegree programs.

Fully Funded Nanodegree Programs

Providing access to Udacity's industry-aligned courses in Business Analytics and Digital Marketing.

Flexible Online Learning

Allowing participants to study at their own pace, accommodating personal and professional commitments. To help overcome connectivity challenges, Vodacom also provided internet data packages to scholarship recipients, enabling them to access course materials and participate in online learning activities.

Mentorship and Support

Offering guidance from industry experts to ensure successful course completion.

Practical Projects

Enabling learners to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, enhancing their portfolios.

Career Support

Providing personalized guidance in writing effective CVs, tailoring LinkedIn profiles, and preparing for job opportunities to boost employability.

"At Vodacom Mozambique Foundation, we believe in the power of education to create real change. This scholarship program, in partnership with Udacity, is a testament to our commitment to empowering women with the skills they need to thrive in the digital economy. Seeing these talented women graduate and take the next steps in their careers is truly inspiring."

Cristina Azevedo

Director of Vodacom Mozambique Foundation

Greater Impact

Outcomes

The partnership between Vodacom Mozambique Foundation and Udacity proved that targeted digital skilling initiatives deliver measurable impact at scale.

Beyond individual success stories, the program has:

Strengthened the local tech talent pipeline
Contributed to digital transformation efforts in key industries
Inspired future initiatives focused on women in tech and underserved communities

The program stands as a model for how private sector partnerships can drive meaningful, large-scale change in workforce development.

Follow-up with graduates also revealed significant long-term outcomes: 97% reported a positive career outcome, and 16 graduates shared that they had landed interviews, started new jobs, or secured freelance opportunities. These results reinforce the sustained impact of the program and its role in supporting career transitions and economic empowerment.

Graduate Testimonials

See what our learners have to say

"Udacity was a game-changer for me. It not only gave me the tools I needed but also the support and structure to navigate my career transition successfully. Coming from a background in virology, I had a passion for data but lacked the technical skills to shift into analytics. By the time I completed the final project, I could clearly see how much I had grown—both in technical proficiency and in my ability to think critically about data."

Claudia Fernando Manguele

Business Analytics graduate

"Participating in the Vodacom Mozambique programme with Udacity was a transformative experience. Balancing full-time work with the course was demanding, but I stayed committed and the practical, real-world projects kept me engaged. One of the most memorable moments was the final project, where I developed a dashboard that showed how much I had grown. I developed skills in SQL and Tableau and gained the confidence to take on new challenges and explore greater opportunities in the field."