AkiraChix
AkiraChix
Sector Portfolios
- Kusasa (Technology)
- Lokumu (Livelihoods)
- Sani (Education)
- Sanki (Gender Equity)
Focus Areas
- Livelihoods
- Technology
- Education
- Gender Equity
- Youth Development
Cohort 02 (2021)
- East Africa
- Kenya
AkiraChix is a non-profit organization that exists to build the world’s leading source of African female technological talent. At the core of their work is ensuring young women across Sub Saharan Africa have the tools, education and support to not only have a prosperous career in technology but also live fulfilling lives. They do this by scouting underserved young women aged between 19 and 24 years and equipping them with tech skills to advance economically, bridging the gender gap in tech.
Impact: The codeHive program is consistently unlocking the most transformative outcomes. By year 2, most graduates have already earned back the equivalent of their training cost. By year 5, they’ve earned more than four times that amount. And by year 10, some will have earned over 15×.
Partner Impact
Leadership Highlight
Linda Kamau
Linda Kamau is a natural problem solver also known as the “chief fixer” who swapped writing code for rewriting the rules. As the Executive Director of AkiraChix, she has dedicated the last 16 years to helping young women from underserved communities across Sub-Saharan Africa launch powerful careers in technology.
As an Obama Leader Fellow, Linda is passionate about creating inclusive spaces where women can thrive, lead, and disrupt traditional norms. She is driven to open doors in areas where women have long been underrepresented, championing access, equity, and opportunity at scale. Her bold leadership and fearless approach to innovation have transformed AkiraChix from a simple idea into a high-impact organization, making a tangible difference in the lives of countless women and reshaping the technology ecosystem across the region. When she’s not solving complex problems or betting big on the future, you’ll likely find her experimenting in the kitchen or cheering on her favorite F1 driver, because fast cars and fast thinking are kind of her thing.
