Nigerian Music Icon Launches Tech Based Scholarship Programme

The Patoranking Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to driving Africa’s progress through education, entrepreneurship, and empowerment, has made a groundbreaking move to boost Africa’s tech capabilities. In partnership with ALX Africa, a renowned tech training provider, the foundation is launching the $500,000 Patoranking Foundation Tech Scholarships. This initiative will empower 40 young Africans with the opportunity to develop in-demand tech skills in data analytics, cloud computing, and Salesforce Administration, fostering a new generation of tech leaders on the continent.

Founded by African musician Patrick Okorie, better known as Patoranking, the Patoranking Foundation utilizes research, advocacy, and partnerships to provide transformative educational programs and market-ready entrepreneurial skills to outstanding young leaders in Africa. Having invested over $1 million in youth education across the continent over the past six years, the introduction of a $500,000 tech scholarship in partnership with ALX Africa marks a new chapter in the Foundation’s mission.

Starting from May 30th, 2024, 40 exceptional candidates will have the chance to participate in world-class tech training programs, developing in-demand tech skills sought after by leading global employers. Candidates will ideally already be changemakers in their communities and will have the opportunity to qualify for internship opportunities with leading global tech companies, bridging the gap between theory and real-life practice.

The tech scholarship is open to promising tech-savvy candidates from all over Africa. Applicants will be required to successfully complete the ALX admissions process, and beneficiaries will be selected after a review of individual application videos and essays submitted on the Foundation’s website.

Patrick Okorie, Founder of the Patoranking Foundation, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, “At Patoranking Foundation, we are dedicated to advancing Africa through education and entrepreneurship. ALX Africa shares our commitment to empowering tomorrow’s leaders via access to advanced digital skills that are critical to future employability and entrepreneurship, and we are delighted to partner with them.”

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 to study at the African Leadership University (ALU) in Rwanda or Mauritius. Currently, 170 young pupils are on scholarship in five leading schools in Ebonyi state, Nigeria, the founder’s home state.

Celebrated educator and entrepreneur Fred Swaniker, Founder of ALX Africa, commented on the partnership, saying, “In today’s world of AI and Big Data, young people need to be prepared for uncertainty; they need to be agile and adaptable. Through our collaboration with Patoranking Foundation, we hope 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.”

Patoranking continues to leverage his influence to nurture Africa’s entrepreneurial passion, ready to accelerate transformative change across nations and the continent. By selecting resilient and innovative community changemakers for the tech scholarships, the Patoranking Foundation is equipping Africa’s young leaders with much-needed digital skills to scale local impact and providing them with useful connections for collaborations.