Financial technology firm, PalmPay, has intensified efforts to improve female participation in Nigeria’s technology sector by training women in critical digital and fintech related skills. The programme is part of the company’s broader initiative aimed at reducing gender imbalance in the technology ecosystem while preparing more women for careers in the rapidly growing fintech industry.
The initiative was delivered through the Purple Women Global Masterclass, a programme designed to equip young women with practical knowledge and professional competencies required to thrive in technology driven workplaces. The training coincided with activities marking International Women’s Day and formed part of PalmPay’s wider strategy to support inclusion within the digital economy.
During the most recent edition of the programme, 100 Nigerian women were selected to participate in intensive training sessions focused on industry relevant disciplines. The curriculum covered areas such as human resources, data analysis, digital marketing, personal finance, user experience and interface design, software engineering and product management. The programme combined virtual learning with an in person masterclass session designed to encourage networking and mentorship among participants.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of PalmPay Nigeria, Chika Nwosu, explained that the initiative was created to address the low representation of women in fintech and the wider technology sector. According to him, “This initiative is because we noticed that there are not so many women in fintech and in the tech industry, and we intend to bridge that gap. We want to see a whole lot of women in leadership positions in fintech.”
Beyond classroom instruction, the programme also offers pathways into professional employment. At the end of the training, the ten most outstanding participants were selected for a six month internship within PalmPay, where they will receive practical experience across various departments in the company. This approach allows participants to move from theoretical learning to hands on industry exposure.
The selection process for the internship programme was merit based. Participants were evaluated through class assessments and written tests conducted during the training sessions. PalmPay’s human resources team then ranked the candidates based on performance before selecting the top ten participants.
Anthony Iwuala, Head of Human Resources at PalmPay, said the company prioritises fairness and competence when selecting candidates for the internship programme. He stated, “For us at PalmPay, we believe in equity and equality and following the right process. As a company, we believe in people who have skills and talent, so we ensure that we select people who are qualified.”
PalmPay executives also highlighted the broader economic impact of empowering women with digital and financial knowledge. According to Nwosu, women’s economic empowerment tends to have long term social benefits. He remarked, “A money in the hand of a man feeds a family, but money in the hand of a woman feeds generations.”
Participation in the programme is open to women across Nigeria through an online registration process, although the physical masterclass is hosted in Lagos. The company stated that the initiative is intended to expand opportunities for women regardless of location.
Over the past three years, the Purple Women programme has trained more than 250 women and continues to attract growing interest from aspiring professionals across the country. Through the initiative, PalmPay aims to build a stronger pipeline of female talent capable of contributing to Nigeria’s expanding fintech sector while advancing gender inclusion in technology.
