Youth unemployment sits at a staggering 46.6%, but a new non-profit initiative aims to train 10,000 rural youths to become coders with secured remote jobs after graduation — all within five years. The Africa Inspired Foundation (AIF) is launching a programme that is building community-based tech hubs to train the next generation of South African tech professionals where it matters most: in the rural communities where economic opportunity is least.
AIF is the brainchild of the Zaio Institute of Technology — a digital coding academy empowering South Africans to become tech professionals with guaranteed job placements, all at accessible prices. With the AIF, Zaio aims to expand this empowerment by collaborating with like-minded organisations to offer high-quality training in rural areas as a non-profit.
“Our vision is to cultivate the largest, most diverse pool of skilled tech workers yet,” explains Mvelo Hlophe, CEO of Zaio. “AIF is committed to uplifting communities by empowering young people who have previously been excluded from the digital economy,” he adds.
By providing access to sought-after technical training, the new foundation hopes to drive economic self-sufficiency — enabling local talent to work remotely from their hometowns and inject new vitality into rural economies.
Addressing the challenges faced by rural students
In South Africa’s rural areas, young people face a stark reality: quality job opportunities with career growth potential are scarce and often confined to urban centres. This forces many to relocate, leading to a ‘brain drain’ that deprives rural regions of skilled workers and stifles economic development. It also reduces young people’s chances for success in already congested cities.
“Our goal with AIF is to break this cycle by delivering accessible tech education, employment opportunities, and entrepreneurial pathways within rural communities,” says Hlophe, “thereby transforming the rural economy.”
A strategic approach to talent retention
To counter the downsides of rural-to-urban migration, the foundation is implementing a multifaceted strategy aimed at creating a self-sustaining ecosystem of tech-driven employment. AIF will establish community-based tech learning hubs that will serve as dynamic innovation centres. These hubs will enable students to acquire in-demand digital skills, develop competitive CVs, and access remote work opportunities.
They will also generate local jobs related to day-to-day operations — including administrative roles, technical support, and food service. In addition, AIF will introduce work-readiness courses to strengthen professional etiquette, prepare students for the workplace, and build confidence. Those who meet the required standards will secure interviews for remote positions, enabling them to work from their hometowns.
This approach not only allows graduates to spend their earnings locally, but also helps build the experience needed to start businesses of their own within their communities.
A phased approach with ambitious targets
The initiative will begin with three tech hubs in its first year, aiming to train 300 individuals annually.
“Over the next five years, we plan to expand to 15 hubs, with the capacity to train 10,000 aspiring tech professionals,” Hlophe notes, “which will significantly change the landscape of South Africa’s rural workforce.”
Anticipated challenges
Hlophe acknowledges that community trust will be a critical factor in the initiative’s success.
“To earn the residents’ confidence, the foundation will prioritise active engagement with community leaders, ensuring the initiative is seen as a genuine force for positive change,” he says.
Long-term sustainability will also depend on securing consistent funding through donations, strategic partnerships, and volunteer contributions.
What the tech hubs will offer
Each hub will offer a comprehensive curriculum covering cutting-edge disciplines such as cloud computing, data science, cybersecurity, and more. All participants will begin with a computer literacy course before progressing to more specialised training.
The Africa Inspired Foundation launched its website on 1 March, providing a platform for companies and individuals to support the initiative.
