In early 2025, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with Give1Project, Concordia University and the Open Society Foundations, launched a call for applications to a regional cybersecurity training programme targeting young people across West and Central Africa. The initiative responded to growing cybersecurity challenges in a region undergoing rapid digital transformation, where demand for practical skills and digital awareness continues to outpace supply.

The programme aims to equip young men and women to become agents of transformation and ambassadors of peace, using cyberspace as a platform to foster reconciliation, social cohesion, and local ownership of peace and development processes. By integrating digital tools with conflict transformation strategies and content production skills, the initiative seeks to enhance community resilience, amplify underrepresented voices, and foster a culture of peace, dialogue and collaboration. At the same time, it contributes to reducing vulnerabilities to exploitation and recruitment by armed groups, while promoting long-term economic resilience and stability.

During the application period, 20,210 submissions were received from 24 countries, reflecting both the scale of unmet demand for digital skills and the commitment of young people to contribute to a safer, more resilient digital ecosystem in the region. Among these, 15,925 applications were from men, while 4,282 were from women, with the highest applicant numbers coming from Nigeria (8,744), Senegal (2,349), Ghana (1,704), Cameroon (1,086), and Benin (1,026), highlighting strong engagement across the region.

Following a rigorous screening process, 2,512 candidates were shortlisted, and 500 participants were selected to join the programme. This final cohort comprises 377 young men and 123 young women, with 279 aged between 18 and 25, and 221 between 26 and 35.

To ensure regional inclusion and quality of delivery, the training will be delivered in three cohorts:

• The first cohort of 200 trainees will begin in September 2025
• The second cohort of 150 will begin in January 2026
• The third cohort of 150 will start in April 2026

Each cohort will follow a structured curriculum focused on data protection, digital risk mitigation, and applied cybersecurity tools. The programme also incorporates mentorship, peer-to-peer learning, and exposure to professional pathways in the digital space.

Beyond its technical training, this initiative harnesses technology as a tool for conflict transformation and economic inclusion. By integrating cybersecurity capacity-building with financial literacy and entrepreneurship development, the programme empowers young people, particularly women, to access fintech solutions, launch digital enterprises and create tech-enabled livelihoods. These efforts will be supported by AI-driven data tools and secure financial platforms, ensuring inclusive access to digital opportunity and reinforcing community resilience.

Although only a limited number of applicants could be selected in this cycle, the overwhelming response underscores both a tremendous opportunity and a shared responsibility to scale access to digitally relevant, market-driven skills across the region. UNDP and its partners remain steadfast in their commitment to equipping young people, especially those in fragile contexts, with the tools, training, and resources needed to lead, innovate, and thrive in the digital economy.

By expanding inclusive digital education and entrepreneurship pathways, this initiative aims to support a generation of young leaders who will serve as catalysts for peace, resilience, and sustainable development across West and Central Africa.

For more information, please contact: 

• Nadine Rugwe, Governance and Peacebuilding Advisor, UNDP Sub-Regional Hub for West and Central Africa | nadine.rugwe@undp.org
• Christella Igiraneza, Youth Programme Specialist, UNDP Sub-Regional Hub for West and Central Africa | christella.igiraneza@undp.org

Note to Editors:

About the Give1Project

Give1Project engages young people as leaders in creating and building strong and healthy communities. Through initiatives in hunger relief, healthcare, civic engagement, housing, legal services, employment training and educational programmes, Give1Project empowers young women and men to lead change and elevate their social, economic, and political participation—locally and globally.

Learn more at www.give1project.net

About Concordia University

Concordia University sets itself apart as a next-generation university focused on reimagining the future of higher education. Concordia’s innovative approach to experiential learning and cross-functional research benefits its 50,000 students. Concordia is the top-ranked university in North America under 50, located in vibrant Montreal on the traditional lands of the Kanien’kehá:ka Nation. It strives to be socially responsible and create a more equitable and sustainable world.

Learn more at www.concordia.ca

About Open Society Foundations

The Open Society Foundations champion the search for bold, democratic solutions to urgent, common challenges that advance rights, equity, and justice.

It does this by supporting a wide array of independent voices and organizations around the world that provide a creative and dynamic link between the governing and the governed.

Its approach seeks to counter the narrow pursuit of political self-interest and short-term opportunism in pursuit of a sustainable future for people and planet that leaves no one behind.

Learn more at www.opensocietyfoundations.org

About the United Nations Development Programme

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet.

Learn more at www.undp.org/africa/waca