Unicef boss champions digital skills for young innovators in Tanzania
Unicef Executive Director Catherine Russell in a group photo with adolescent girls and young women innovators at a UNICEF supported program to equip youth with digital skills to address real-life challenges and empower lives that took place at Shule Direct offices in Dar es Salaam on March 7, 2025. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- In Tanzania, only 22 per cent of women possess basic digital skills, compared to 32 percent of men, according to the World Bank.
- Furthermore, boys aged 15 to 19 are more likely to own a mobile phone than girls of the same age, with boys also more than twice as likely to access the internet.
Dar es Salaam. As part of a three-day visit to Tanzania, Unicef Executive Director Catherine Russell met with adolescent girls and young women innovators involved in a Unicef -supported programme aimed at equipping youth with digital skills to tackle real-life challenges and empower their lives.
The visit underscores a pressing issue facing women in Africa: they are 37 percent less likely than men to access the internet.
In Tanzania, only 22 per cent of women possess basic digital skills, compared to 32 percent of men, according to the World Bank.
Furthermore, boys aged 15 to 19 are more likely to own a mobile phone than girls of the same age, with boys also more than twice as likely to access the internet.
Social and gender norms, limited resources, child marriage, and early pregnancies often restrict girls' ability to develop technical and vocational skills.
This leaves them underrepresented in critical fields such as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), as well as digital industries that are essential for future job markets.
Without targeted interventions, adolescent girls and young women risk being left behind, reinforcing cycles of poverty and limiting their potential.
“Investing in young innovators, particularly girls, is investing in Tanzania’s future. Nurturing their skills and creativity can unlock solutions and drive economic growth that will save and improve the lives of children today and for generations to come,” said Russell at the weekend.
“The government and private partners are doing an amazing job in furthering these results, and Unicef is proud to support the efforts in part through our expertise and lessons learned from other countries.”
Young innovators shared their ideas and technical experiences, fuelled by Unicef Tanzania’s digital skills and innovation programmes. These initiatives provide youth—especially girls—with the tools to tackle pressing societal issues, aligning with Tanzania’s Vision 2050 for digital transformation and economic growth.
“STEM is not just about science and technology, computers and equations; it’s about solving real problems and creating opportunities for the future. I want every girl in Tanzania to know that she belongs in tech, and her ideas can change the world!” said Tupokigwe Simon, 16, a member of Unicef’s Global Girls Leaders Advisory Group (GGLAG) and STEM champion.
Unicef is collaborating with the government, private sector, and academic institutions to ensure sustained support for young innovators. The goal is to nurture a generation of problem-solvers and leaders who will drive Tanzania’s digital transformation.
Russell’s visit is part of her broader mission to witness Tanzania’s development gains for children and explore ways to accelerate progress in addressing the challenges facing vulnerable children. One area of focus is strengthening integrated services for adolescent girls, ensuring they have access to quality education, health services, and protection against early marriage and violence.
