A new partnership between Telkom, the Embassy of Ireland, and JP Morgan is opening doors for young women in underserved rural communities to break into the technology start-up space.
The collaboration, led through the Telkom FutureMakers initiative, provides university and college students with mentorship, resources, and opportunities to turn their ideas into viable business ventures. At the heart of this effort is the I’M IN Women Pre-Accelerated Programme, which focuses on preparing women from underrepresented backgrounds to succeed in South Africa’s innovation economy.
Building an Inclusive Economy
According to Dr Mmaki Jantjies, Telkom Group Executive: Innovation and Transformation, tackling gender inequality in business is critical for South Africa’s growth.
“With wealth and income inequality still drawn across gender lines, Telkom believes it is vital to give young women opportunities and exposure to personal and business development initiatives that allow them to flourish,” Dr Jantjies said. “When these women are given access to funding, technology, and markets, they become agents of change in their communities.”
The programme specifically recruits students from institutions in rural and underserved areas, where opportunities for exposure to entrepreneurship are limited compared to urban universities. Participants are equipped with business development training, technical expertise, and networking opportunities that prepare them for future success in the tech sector.
From Classroom to Entrepreneurship
In April 2024, 30 women graduated from the I’M IN Women Pre-Accelerated Programme and moved into the next stage of their entrepreneurial journeys. Armed with practical experience and mentorship, these young women are positioned to launch start-ups that contribute both to their local communities and to South Africa’s growing tech ecosystem.
Empowering the Next Generation
Since the advent of democracy, women in South Africa have transitioned from being symbols of resistance to drivers of economic and social reconstruction. Initiatives like the I’M IN Women Pre-Accelerated Programme aim to accelerate that transformation, giving women the tools to reshape both their own futures and that of the country.
“With the help of programmes like this one, women are reshaping their own future and that of South Africa,” Dr Jantjies concluded.
