Apply Now: Cybersecurity Training for Youth in West and Central Africa

The “Enhancement of Modern Technologies to Accelerate Youth Entrepreneurship and Employability in West and Central Africa (WACA) Region” project, led by UNDP in partnership with Give1 Project and Concordia University, empowers young people with cutting-edge cybersecurity skills to help unlock employment opportunities and build future-ready communities. The programme seeks to:

• Equip youth with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the global cybersecurity industry.
• Promote inclusive access to digital skills, especially for those in remote areas, minority communities, and persons with disabilities.
• Create a network of young trainers who can continue to train and empower others across the region.

Benefits

• Practical skills in cybersecurity and access to mentorship
• Exposure to industry experts and networking opportunities
• Certification upon successful completion
• Pathways to internships, employment, and entrepreneurship in the digital economy
• Opportunity to become a trainer and community ambassador

Program Specifications

• The training will be delivered in a cohort format, combining virtual theoretical sessions with in-person practical sessions (where applicable).
• Structures in certain communities will be equipped to allow young people from rural and underserved areas to access computers and the internet and fully participate in virtual training and coaching sessions.
• Five youth will also be selected as future trainers in each country to support peer-to-peer learning and capacity building in their communities.

Eligible Countries

• Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible to apply, applicants must:
  • Be between 18 and 35 years old
  • Be a national of one of the 24 countries in West and Central Africa
  • Be currently enrolled in or have graduated from a university or technical institution
  • Demonstrate interest and foundational knowledge in cybersecurity and the potential to grow professionally or as an entrepreneur in the field
  • Be proficient in English or French
  • Have a valid identification document or passport.

For more information, visit UNDP.