AkiraChix
Empowering 100 young women in Sub-Saharan Africa to join the global tech Industry
The Swarovski Foundation supports AkiraChix’s signature programme, codeHive, a year-long, fully sponsored residential training programme for young women between the ages of 20-24 from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. codeHive combines hands-on technical training with leadership development, offering both an educational and economic opportunity.
The focus on the tech sector is vital as its growing faster in Africa than in any other region, but women only make up 30% and only 52 women are promoted to manager for every 100 men.
Sourced by World Economic Forum and McKinsey, 2025
The codeHive model is delivering strong, measurable outcomes and doing so with efficiency. Graduates are entering the job market quickly and earning more than their peers By year 2, most graduates have already earned back the equivalent of their training cost. By year 5, they’ve earned more than four times that amount. And by year 10, some will have earned over 15×.
Images courtesy of AkiraChix
A comparative study measured the employability outcomes of codeHive graduates against a control group of similar peers who did not participate. Six months after graduation, codeHive graduates were earning nearly 3 times more than their peers, a median income of $359 versus $125 for non-participants. For those in long-term software engineering roles, earnings were 4.9 times higher. This shows the impact is not just immediate, but continues to build over time. Job retention is also significant, with 85% of alumni still employed in the industry after two years, compared to 57% of women working in the industry who leave within the same period..
What I gained from AkiraChix went far beyond technical skills. I fell in love with learning; the process of growing, and the idea of creating a better future for myself. And that better future did come just after the one-year program, i now work as a Junior Data Scientist.
Lavender Anyango
Originally from Kenya, Lavender’s path into technology was anything but straightforward. After several unsuccessful attempts to enter university due to financial barriers, her dream of studying computer science seemed increasingly out of reach. As she approached her 25th birthday, the age limit for entry into AkiraChix’s flagship residential programme codeHive, she found herself at a critical crossroads. CodeHive became a lifeline: a timely opportunity to pursue the future she had long envisioned, but had never been able to access. In 2024, Lavender was selected from a highly competitive pool of 460 applicants. During the interview process, she stood out for her eagerness to learn, creative problem-solving, and remarkable resilience in the face of repeated setbacks – qualities that signalled not only her potential to succeed in the programme, but to thrive beyond it. codeHive’s immersive, hands-on model places students in a collaborative, self-directed environment where they manage their own projects, mirroring the dynamics of a startup. For Lavender, this experience was transformative. She describes it as the moment her mindset shifted entirely: she learned to trust her own thinking, navigate complex projects independently, adapt to fast-paced environments, and manage pressure with confidence and flexibility. “What I gained from AkiraChix went far beyond technical skills. I fell in love with learning—with the process of growing, and with the idea of creating a better future for myself.” That future quickly began to take shape. Shortly after completing the one-year programme, Lavender joined Dalberg Data Insights as an AI Engineering Fellow. Within just five months, she was promoted to Junior Data Scientist—a testament to both her technical capability and her readiness to contribute in a demanding professional environment. Reflecting on her journey, Lavender is clear about what enabled her success: “Some might call it luck, but to me, it was a simple yet perfect combination of preparation meeting opportunity. The AkiraChix team works tirelessly to make sure every student is prepared not just to find opportunities, but to thrive in them.” Lavender’s story illustrates the power of access, timing, and targeted support. CodeHive did more than teach her to code—it unlocked a pathway into the digital economy, equipping her with the confidence, skills, and mindset to build a sustainable career in technology.
