When faced with the challenges of a rapidly evolving digital economy, inclusion is often dismissed as an important topic. But HP Nigeria just flipped the script. Two Nigerian nonprofits, She Code Africa and Slum2School Africa, have received $400,000 in support from the company’s Digital Equity Accelerator, with half of it being paid out in cash and the other half in resources. The funding is not just generous, but also strategic. HP’s perspective is that the future of Africa is not limited to Africa, but rather showcases the role of Nigerian youth and nonprofits in constructing that future from scratch.
With over 65,000 girls and women trained in different tech fields, She Code Africa, a nonprofit that is driven by women, has become renowned for its success in frontend development, user interface design, cloud computing, and DevOps. Their struggle against gender discrimination, inadequate access and mentorship has been ongoing for years. HP’s investment will enable them to expand their operations, improve infrastructure, and potentially extend their reach across Nigeria and beyond.
Similarly, Slum2School Africa has made an effort to provide quality education to children in slums and rural areas. Over 685,000 children have been educated by them, with the aim of creating community learning centers and remote learning platforms to ensure no child is left behind. They offer a unique combination of education, technology, and psychosocial support in their model.
These nonprofits can now pursue their missions more sustainably and expand with the help of HP’s technical mentorship, software, and hardware.
This move by HP is no PR stunt. The impact of our accessibility on the underserved population in Africa will determine the development of digital economies, despite any hint of silence.
Too many global companies operate in Africa as if they’re doing the continent a favor, selling devices, services, and solutions while contributing little to capacity development. HP’s action bucks that trend. This indicates a readiness to collaborate with local change-makers instead of solely profiting from an emerging market.
However, HP is ensuring its long-term success here. And that’s fine. In fact, that’s the point. The notion of “shared value,” which links a company’s success to community success, is not new but it is rarely executed with excellence. Through this funding and mentorship initiative, HP seems to be making a good impression. By promoting education and tech accessibility, they’re enhancing their customer base while also developing the talent pool that could be crucial for global tech jobs.
However, this is only a starting point.
A significant undertaking is digital equity in Nigeria. The absence of reliable internet affects over 40% of the population as at 2025. In rural areas, that number climbs even higher. Devices are expensive. Power supply is inconsistent. The realness of gender disparities in STEM is still evident. Charities like She Code Africa and Slum2School are indispensable, but they cannot carry the burden alone.
The funding from HP is valuable, more tech companies, more local partnerships, more government involvement. What would happen if the entire network of funding, mentorship, and infrastructure was expanded to other countries? How would Nigeria be affected if major multinational corporations collaborated to support 100 nonprofits across all six geo-political areas? Imagine the impact on education, employment, and innovation.
At present, this is a positive development. This collaboration is something we should be celebrating and imitating. The fact that Africa is not lacking in talent, it lacks access. Our digital economy becomes more inclusive with every company that helps to close the access gap.
So, kudos to HP Nigeria for not just for writing a check, but for making a statement. One that says, “We see you. We believe in you. And we’re investing in what you’re building.”
That’s the kind of partnership this ecosystem needs.
