Standard Chartered, in partnership with Strathmore University, has launched the second cohort of the Women in Cyber Mentorship Programme, an initiative aimed at bridging the cybersecurity skills gap in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The launch event, which was themed “Collaboration and Partnerships—Women in Cybersecurity,” took place at Standard Chartered headquarters and was attended by policymakers, industry leaders, alumni from the previous cohort, and their mentors.
This initiative is designed to empower the next generation of women in cybersecurity across East Africa. It features virtual mentorship sessions, hands-on training in both technical and soft skills, and the awarding of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) credits.
According to Jaine Mwai, Chief Technology and Operations Officer at Standard Chartered, “Digital adoption is accelerating across East Africa, but inclusive growth will stall if half the population remains underrepresented 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.”
Current reports highlight the global shortage of cybersecurity professionals, with women occupying only 22% of roles in the field and approximately 2.5 million positions remaining vacant worldwide. In Africa alone, fewer than 300,000 cybersecurity professionals are available, leaving many organizations vulnerable to digital threats.
The Women in Cyber Mentorship Programme specifically targets early-career women from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania who have an interest in cybersecurity. Participants will benefit from a virtual learning platform that includes technical modules, soft skills training, and fireside chats with global cybersecurity experts. Each mentee will be paired with a mentor—experienced professionals in the field, including male allies—who will guide them in career development and leadership.
All completed sessions count toward CPD hours, offering participants recognized industry-standard competencies. Furthermore, the programme provides valuable networking opportunities through regional forums that connect mentees with regulators, private-sector employers, and academic institutions.
Eng. Dr. Julius Butime, Dean of the School of Computing at Strathmore University, emphasized the value of the collaboration, saying, “Our partnership with Standard Chartered combines academic rigor with real-world mentorship to develop a pipeline of skilled, confident leaders ready to shape the future of cybersecurity in Africa. Cyber risk is a shared responsibility, and capacity-building efforts must reflect that.”
The second cohort will include up to 100 mentees, with the first training sprint scheduled to begin in August.
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