In South Africa there are many young women that one day hope to pursue a career in tech. However, the ecosystem is marred by gender imbalance and the journey towards creating equal opportunities seems elusive.  

The Gender Gap   

The tech sector remains a male-dominated field, both locally and globally. According to Women in Tech ZA, in South Africa, a mere 23% of tech roles are held by women and this underrepresentation mirrors a worldwide trend, where women occupy only 24% of tech jobs. 

Addressing the gender gap in tech is a complex challenge that demands a collaborative effort. Governments, private companies, educational institutions, and non-profits must work together to create an inclusive environment.  

Leading tech career accelerator CAPACITI is on a mission to address the digital gender skills gap. With a focus on empowering individuals to thrive in the tech sector, CAPACITI offers a comprehensive range of digital skills programmes designed to meet the demands of the tech workforce. As Fiona Tabraham, CAPACITI CEO, states, ” Our passion lies in driving meaningful and lasting impact. We took a brave decision to break down barriers that are hindering women’s progress in tech”.  

 Addressing Systemic Bias and Fostering Inclusivity 

Systemic bias and exclusionary practices have long hindered the advancement of women in tech. CAPACITI has taken a pioneering approach to democratising the tech industry by developing programmes that equip young people with tech skills.   

By providing critical digital skills demanded by the industry, specialised certifications and work readiness training, CAPACITI’s holistic model prepares individuals to thrive in diverse roles across various sectors. In the past five years, CAPACITI has equipped 4,631 unemployed youth with digital and career-critical skills. This investment has yielded impressive results, and 8,028 employment opportunities have been created, generating over R337 million in earned salaries.

CAPACITI works with visionary partners to ensure candidates are fully supported with more than R116 million in stipends disbursed. Notably, 99% of beneficiaries are Black and Coloured and a commendable 54% of these are women. “Gender should not be a barrier to pursuing a career in tech,” states Fiona.  

CAPACITI’s Mission: Redefining Access and Opportunity 

The Sustainable Development Goals are a roadmap with 17 goals that will ensure that no one gets left behind.  With less than a decade to fulfil these 2030 goals, CAPACITI has made facilitating inclusive growth a brand promise. Through the Enabling Women in Tech (EWIT) programme, CAPACITI is empowering women with comprehensive industry specific training.   After the training, the women graduate and become sought after tech professionals, making their dream a reality.  “I’ve always wanted to work in IT and now I’ve had the opportunity to learn about coding,” states EWIT Graduate Lerato Valencia Mosiamo

CAPACITI is Africa’s first tech incubator that is dedicated to ensuring underrepresented people like women and youth are getting an opportunity to become architects of Africa’s digital future. Through a holistic approach, CAPACITI has ensured that over 6,000 graduates secured jobs. 

This groundbreaking tech incubator was developed as a direct response to the critical need for a digitally skilled talent pipeline. A team of proactive and solution orientated experts came together, and developed programmes designed to equip young people with in-demand tech and soft skills essential for the future of work.  

Click here to watch the Enabling Women in Tech graduation video

The Future of Women in Tech: A Collaborative Vision 

As we look to the future, CAPACITI is not only providing women with the tools they need to succeed but also advocating for a more inclusive and diverse tech ecosystem. By creating pathways for women, CAPACITI is helping to build a tech industry that is representative of the world it serves.  

“We are genuinely committed to addressing the tech skills gap, and we are eager to connect with bold collaborators that also want to create inclusive opportunities for women and youth,” concludes Fiona CAPACITI CEO.