A Story of Empowerment, Connection, and Transformation- One Lesson at a Time
The inspiring story of how German for Girls evolved from teaching German to empowering Women in Tech
Some pioneer members of the German for Girls initiative, who were also members of the waste rescue club of the WeSeparateWaste project
In 2017, what began as a simple request by a group of young high school girls evolved into a transformative initiative. While working on the WeSeparate Waste project in Nigeria, a group of determined young girls discovered that the program founder, Solomon Eko could speak German. Their eagerness to learn the language was evident, but the high cost of formal classes at institutions like the Goethe Institut put their dream out of reach.
Solomon Eko in a session with the girls
This determination became the seed for change. Despite a demanding schedule, the founder dedicated 5–6 hours weekly to teaching these girls, who enthusiastically named the program German for Girls. From this humble beginning, the initiative gained momentum, first as a grassroots effort and later transitioning to virtual sessions to reach an even wider audience after the founder left Nigeria.
SOLOMON ENANG EKO, Founder @ Kampus Konnekt49
In 2020, under Kampus Konnekt49, the program was piloted as a CSR initiative, drawing participants from across Africa, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa. The young women immersed themselves in German language training- mastering speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills and received certificates of participation upon passing rigorous assessments.
But the pivotal moment came when participants began asking, “What’s next?” Some dreamed of further education in Germany, others sought career advancement, and many simply wanted to improve their lives. This revealed a gap: while the program provided language skills, it lacked pathways to apply them.
After reflecting on how to bridge this gap, a breakthrough came in 2024. Inspired by a renewed interest from a supporter, the team reimagined German for Girls as German for Girls in Tech, shifting focus to African women with existing tech skills. Recognizing the global demand for diverse, skilled talent, particularly in Germany’s thriving tech industry, the program evolved to equip these women with not only German language proficiency but also cultural insights to help them navigate and succeed in international careers.
While initial challenges like funding and partnerships posed hurdles, the vision remained clear, to empower young African women to overcome barriers and seize global opportunities.
The ultimate goal is to grow German for Girls in Tech into a sustainable platform that not only supports women in tech but also returns to its roots, which is providing free German and tech training to girls from low-income households, connecting them to transformative opportunities in Germany and beyond.
What started as a single act of teaching is growing into a movement, breaking barriers and building bridges for young women across continents. German for Girls in Tech isn’t just a program- it’s a testament to the power of determination and shared knowledge to shape brighter futures.
If you are a young woman looking to advance your tech career, check the German for Girls website to learn
Are you inspired by the story? Follow us on X