Building African Girls’ Futures Through Tech: Standout Foundation Trains 43 African Girls in Robotics

A group of girls showed up on screen, curious and ready for the onboarding of the Robotics Innovation Bootcamp by Girl in Robotics Africa, Kenya Chapter, an initiative of African  Youth Ignited in collaboration with Standout Foundation held in August, 2026 as part of its commitment to STEM Education and Innovation.

These girls were selected from applications by brilliant girls from eight African countries, connected by their shared interest in robotics, curiosity for learning and commitment to turning tech into solutions. A total of 60 girls were onboarded. Some had learning experience in robotics. Others, like Loverh Chijokem from Nigeria, had little or none:

"I honestly had no experience in robotics or coding before joining the Bootcamp. It really helped me learn many new things about robotics. I'm now comfortable and confident to interact with a robot.

At the end of the three-week virtual bootcamp, held from 11 - 28 August 2026, 43 girls graduated with certificates in robotics, alongside practical training, guidance and greater confidence.

Why Standout Foundation Invests in Girls in STEM

The World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2025 showed that more women are entering the labour market worldwide. However, the share of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is below 30%. Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) remain stereotyped as male-dominated fields.

Across many communities, girls can face barriers to technology and STEM, from limited access to practical learning opportunities to persistent perceptions about who belongs in technical fields. Early opportunities to experiment can broaden those possibilities. Before the bootcamp, Soliana Mebrahtu Abraha from Ethiopia had been trying to learn Python through YouTube videos. She shared:

"The guidance I received through the bootcamp's live instruction was very helpful because it gave me a clearer starting point and showed me how to begin learning and practising robotics."

For Standout Foundation, STEM education is a priority. We are committed to investing in girls to drive innovation and development on the African continent, erasing bias and providing support.

Working with Girl in Robotics Africa, Kenya Chapter

Standout Foundation collaborated with Girl in Robotics Africa, Kenya Chapter, an initiative of African Youth Ignited, to provide technical support and implement the bootcamp. The girls, aged 13 to 19, received three weeks of engaging robotics training from experts, designed to make tech learning impactful and fun. Honnete Nishimwe from Rwanda came with programming experience from her Software Engineering studies, but little practical exposure to robotics. She said:

"I especially enjoyed learning how a robot can sense, think and act, and then seeing that logic used in an obstacle-avoiding robot simulation. I also learned about Arduino as an important part of controlling robots and about robotics applications in areas such as healthcare. I now feel much more confident connecting what I already know about programming to robotics."

What the Girls Took Away from the Bootcamp

The Robotics Innovation Bootcamp onboarded 60 girls from eight African countries. Of these, 43 (72%) completed it and graduated with certificates. Participants were introduced to Python, VEXcode and Artificial Intelligence in Robotics. They also practised teamwork, communication, creative thinking and problem-solving. Feedback from the girls showed improved technical skills. Beyond that, the bootcamp helped dismantle bias and encouraged them to consider careers in STEM. Lucy Wanjiru Njoroge from Kenya shared:

"I thought of robotics as something complex that only needs a genius to solve the equations... Fortunately, after the programme, it came to my realisation that it wasn't that hard... I also overcame my fear and became more confident in learning how computational systems work."

For Standout Foundation, this reinforces the value of learning environments where girls engage directly with technology rather than simply being told that STEM is for them.

Opening Doors for More Girls in Tech

One bootcamp cannot remove every barrier girls face in STEM, but it can be a gateway for igniting curiosity, encouraging learning and equipping girls in robotics. By connecting girls with practical learning, mentors and opportunities to build, we can help make technology a space where more girls see themselves as participants, innovators and future leaders. Standout Foundation is committed to expanding opportunities for girls to learn, create and build their futures through technology.

To partner with us or support girls' STEM education, you can learn more here and donate.