Looking Back at 2025: A Year of Impact at Groundbreaker Talents
As 2025 draws to a close, we want to pause and reflect on what this year made possible.
These have been, and remain, challenging times for NGOs. Global development funding has tightened, costs have risen, and fewer people have the means to give. This means, every milestone we reached in 2025 carries even more weight.
Every number, every success, and every individual story is the result of collective commitment — from supporters, partners, mentors, and Talents alike.
Below, we look back at 2025 and what these achievements represent for young women building sustainable tech careers in Africa.
2025 in Numbers: What We Achieved Together
In 2025, 83 Talents were part of our training programme in Software Engineering and Artificial Intelligence.
31 Talents celebrated their graduation, while others continue their journey into 2026. Of all Talents who have graduated since 2023, 42 are currently employed — each one now building a sustainable career as a proud woman in tech.
These employment outcomes demonstrate what becomes possible when talent meets access, high-quality education, and long-term support.
57 Mentors Supporting Growth and Confidence
Our programme is strengthened by people who show up consistently. In 2025, 57 mentors from the tech industry shared their time and expertise through weekly 1:1 mentoring sessions with the Talents.
Beyond technical guidance, mentors helped them build confidence and resilience. Furthermore, they reinforced a message that matters deeply: You belong in the world of tech.
10 Guest Speakers from Leading Tech Companies
Learning at Groundbreaker Talents extends beyond the classroom. In 2025, 10 guest speakers from companies including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Spotify, adidas, F5, and Flutter shared real-world insights into working in the tech industry.
These sessions helped Talents better understand career pathways, industry expectations, and what it takes to build long-term careers.
2 New Strategic Training Partners
To ensure our programmes remain aligned with the rapidly evolving tech landscape, we welcomed two new strategic training partners in 2025: Nexford University and Turing College.
These partnerships allow us to expand our training offer. Moreover, they ensure our Talents gain skills that are relevant, recognised, and globally competitive.
19 Corporate and Grant-Giving Partners Supporting Our Mission
None of this work would be possible without sustained financial support. In 2025, 19 companies and grant-giving partners, alongside many private donors (long-time allies and new supporters alike), chose to invest in our mission.
Their contributions made it possible to deliver a holistic training program to young African women from underrepresented backgrounds with the talent and ambition to succeed in tech.
Growing the Team Behind the Programme
Behind the scenes, our organisation continued to grow. This year, 7 new team members (across full-time roles and freelance positions) joined Groundbreaker Talents. Additionally, 7 advisory board members joined to help guide our strategic direction.
And: two Groundbreaker team babies joined us this year! 👶💙
Looking Ahead: This Is Only the Beginning
As we close out 2025, we do so with gratitude. The challenges facing the non-profit sector remain real, but so does the opportunity to create lasting impact through education, access, and partnership.
We look ahead to the new year with optimism and determination, committed to supporting the next generation of women shaping the future of tech in Africa.
For now, we hope many of your wishes come true in 2026. Watch this video to hear our Talents wish you a Happy New Year in their native languages — a beautiful celebration of Uganda’s diversity. 🎉
Want to Be Part of What Comes Next?
Learn more about how you can partner, mentor, or support Groundbreaker Talents and help create sustainable tech careers for young African women.