Fawzia Ali-Kimanthi, Chief Consumer Business Officer at Safaricom PLC, flanked by Prof. Henry Mutembei M’Ikiugu, Vice-chanceller, Chuka university award students that participated in the Safaricom Hook Circle series.
Chuka, 4th October 2024 — Safaricom PLC has officially launched a nationwide series of bootcamps known as the ‘Safaricom Hook Circle,’ designed to empower young people in Kenya through technology, career development, and cultural engagement.
The inaugural event, held at Chuka University in Tharaka Nithi County, attracted over 4,000 participants from the university and surrounding regions.
Fawzia Ali, Chief Consumer Business Officer at Safaricom, emphasized the initiative’s goal to connect Kenyan youth with opportunities that will enhance their skills and propel their careers. “Safaricom Hook Circle aims to connect youth all over Kenya to opportunities that will propel them to succeed in their area of interest,” Ali stated. “In collaboration with our partners, we will provide youth with relevant training in financial literacy, tech-forward skills, career readiness, and cultural expression.”
The bootcamp features three main pillars:
- Culture Hook: This segment focuses on providing youth with access to their passions, featuring masterclasses from partners like Elevate, Baze Radio, Boomplay, and Artfit. Participants learned strategies for monetizing content and breaking into the art and fashion industries.
- Technology Hook: Led by organizations such as Power Learn Project, Avunja Mobile, and Transsion, this section addressed essential skills for the tech industry, equipping participants with knowledge to thrive in a rapidly evolving job market.
- Career Hook: This pillar aims to empower youth in pursuing their career ambitions. Partners including Brighter Monday, Wowzi, Trace Academia, ABSA, and Twiva offered masterclasses that provided insights into job readiness and professional growth.
In addition to these core areas, the bootcamp acknowledged the significance of mental health and financial literacy, featuring sessions by Chiromo Hospital and Absa’s Ready to Work Program, as well as Old Mutual.
Throughout the ‘Safaricom Hook Circle’ series, 600 participants are expected to receive technology scholarships from Power Learn Project. Furthermore, 4,000 youth will undergo career training, with 15 internship opportunities provided by Brighter Monday, which will also assist 60 individuals with CV upgrades. Transsion will offer financing options for Tecno, Infinix, and Itel devices, while Twiva plans to create influencer sales jobs for over 3,000 youths.
The initiative aims to foster mentorship opportunities across various fields, including technology, fashion, and music, thereby creating a supportive ecosystem for the youth of Kenya.
Safaricom’s investment in the ‘Hook Circle’ bootcamps highlights the company’s commitment to youth empowerment and its role in driving economic growth through skill development and innovation in the country.