Standard Chartered Launches Women in Cyber Mentorship Programme for East Africa

Standard Chartered Bank has announced the launch of its Women in Cyber Mentorship Programme, a new initiative aimed at closing East Africa’s cybersecurity talent gap by equipping early-career women with world-class training, mentorship, and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) certification.

The programme will blend in-person and online learning, offering participants access to technical and soft skills courses, mentorship by seasoned cybersecurity professionals, and networking opportunities with key players in the tech and finance sectors.

Addressing Africa’s Cybersecurity Shortage

Cybersecurity remains one of the most under-resourced fields globally. Women make up just 22 percent of the global cybersecurity workforce, while an estimated 2.5 million roles remain unfilled worldwide. On the African continent, there are fewer than 300,000 professionals addressing growing cyber risks — a shortage that leaves organisations increasingly vulnerable.

Jaine Mwai, Chief Technology and Operations Officer at Standard Chartered, highlighted the urgency of addressing both gender and skills disparities:

“Digital adoption is accelerating across East Africa, but inclusive growth will stall if half the population remains under-represented in cybersecurity. By investing in mentorship, we are tackling both the skills gap and the diversity gap – ensuring women have the expertise and confidence to lead secure digital transformation.”

What the Programme Offers

The Women in Cyber Mentorship Programme targets early-career women with an interest in cybersecurity from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Selected participants will receive:

• Technical training on a curated e-learning platform
• Soft skills development, including communication and leadership
• Mentorship from a diverse pool of cybersecurity professionals, including male allies
• CPD-accredited sessions contributing to recognised professional qualifications
• Networking forums linking mentees with private sector employers, academic institutions, and regulatory bodies

The programme is set to onboard up to 100 mentees in its inaugural cohort. The first sprint of training will begin in August 2025, with applications open until June 30, 2025 via https://womenincybersec.strathmore.edu/.

A Joint Effort to Strengthen Cybersecurity Capacity

The programme is being delivered in partnership with Strathmore University’s School of Computing. Speaking at the launch, the Dean of the School emphasised the role of collaboration in securing Africa’s digital future:

“Cyber risk is a shared responsibility, and capacity-building efforts must reflect that. Through this partnership with Standard Chartered, we’re combining academic rigour with real-world mentorship to develop a pipeline of skilled, confident leaders who are ready to lead in cybersecurity across Africa.”

The launch event, held at Standard Chartered’s Head Office in Nairobi, brought together policymakers, academics, and industry stakeholders under the theme “Collaboration and Partnerships – Women in Cybersecurity” to champion inclusive participation in digital security.