CVSpan Launches Scholarship to Boost Women in Tech by 22 Percent

In Nigeria, the gender gap in the technology sector remains a significant concern, with women making up only 22 percent of tech jobs, according to a 2021 report. This disparity is deeply rooted in cultural and societal norms that often discourage girls from pursuing careers in technology, which is perceived as male-dominated and technically demanding. This perception not only limits the aspirations of young girls but also undermines the innovative capacity of the industry as a whole. When women are excluded from the tech ecosystem, the sector loses the benefit of diverse perspectives, which is essential for designing inclusive products and solutions that reflect the needs of a broader society.

CVSpan, a multi-service technology company, is taking strategic action to address this issue. In collaboration with Women Tech Makers Gwarimpa, CVSpan launched the Women in Tech (WIT) Scholarship Program. This initiative aims to equip young Nigerian girls with practical UI/UX design skills, providing them with access to essential tools, mentorship, and real-world exposure. The program seeks to build a resilient and inclusive tech community where young women can learn, grow, and collaborate while being supported by mentors committed to equity and innovation. The program fosters leadership, amplifies the voices of women, and helps shape a tech industry that is more reflective of society’s diversity.

Moses Arfo, Co-Founder and Design Leader at CVSpan, shared insights into the motivation behind the program, its impact to date, and the broader vision for inclusion in Nigeria’s tech landscape. He highlighted the challenges that continue to affect women-led initiatives, particularly around funding. However, he also emphasized the determination and resilience of a growing community of women tech leaders who are creating impact and inspiring a new generation to reimagine what is possible.

Arfo explained that the inspiration for the CVSpan UI/UX Scholarship Program came from the clear gender gap in the tech space, especially within design and product teams in Nigeria. UI/UX design is one of the most accessible areas in tech for women, and many female creatives around the world are thriving in this field. Women naturally bring empathy and a strong focus on user needs, which are both essential to great design. At CVSpan, they noticed that many young girls in Nigeria either hadn’t heard of UI/UX or didn’t see a place for themselves in it. The program was created to change that perception and provide the right opportunity for young women to explore their career options in tech.

The program lasted five weeks, with the first three weeks focused on lessons and the last two weeks dedicated to real projects that participants could add to their portfolios. The participants learned the basics of UI/UX design, including how to understand users, create wireframes and user flows, and use design tools like Figma. More importantly, they also learned why design is important, which helped them gain not just skills but also confidence and a deeper understanding of the field. The progress was remarkable, with many participants starting with no background in tech but quickly picking up important design concepts and tools.

Following the completion of the program, most participants are university students, some just beginning and others getting ready to graduate. They came from both tech and non-tech courses. CVSpan is helping some of them join a six-month internship program where they will work with real product teams, build useful skills, and learn from professionals. This next phase is focused on practice and helping them move from classroom learning to real-world work. CVSpan has also set up the CVSpan Tech Community, a support system where participants can stay connected, ask questions, share projects, and receive continuous mentorship. The company will also be sharing curated resources, tools, and occasional masterclasses from experts in the ecosystem. Any job or internship opportunity that emerges within the CVSpan ecosystem will prioritize graduates from this program, demonstrating a commitment to long-term empowerment, not just one-off training.

Arfo believes that programs like this are crucial for shaping the future of tech for African women. By teaching skills and changing the narrative, these initiatives open doors and ensure that the products and services built in Africa reflect the diversity of the people they are meant to serve. Inclusion is no longer something extra; it is a smart and necessary part of building strong, successful teams. The future of African tech will be built by women as much as men, and that future starts now with initiatives like the CVSpan UI/UX Scholarship Program. While there is progress in the tech industry becoming more inclusive for women, there is still a long road ahead. Access to opportunities and funding remains a big challenge, but the growing sense of community among African women in tech is inspiring. With the right support and structure, Africa has the potential to become a global example of what inclusive innovation can look like.