Founder’s Story:

At Blue Sands Academy, our journey began with a passion to empower women and girls through digital literacy and ICT skills. Our founder, Alero Thompson, saw the widening digital gender gap, especially in Africa, and was driven to make a difference. Studies show that women in developing countries are 52% less likely to have internet access compared to men, particularly in rural areas. This digital divide severely limits women’s ability to compete in the job market and pursue educational opportunities. Alero’s mission is to provide these much-needed opportunities to girls and women in Nigeria and beyond, ensuring they are not left behind in the digital revolution​.

Alero’s work addresses the social and cultural barriers that prevent women from accessing technology, such as gender stereotypes, community discouragement, and a lack of role models in ICT. She believes that by equipping women with digital skills, they will gain economic independence and become agents of change in their communities​.

Vision:

We envision a world where every girl and woman has access to digital technology and life-altering opportunities. Our goal is to close the digital gender gap by providing ICT training that empowers women to achieve personal and professional fulfillment. In a world where 85% of future jobs will rely on new technologies, it is essential that women not only participate but thrive in the digital economy​.

Mission:

Our mission is to actively empower women and girls with ICT, business, and financial literacy skills to help them become leaders and agents of change. By offering targeted training, mentorship, and opportunities to showcase their skills through competitions, we aim to create a pipeline of female talent that will reshape the tech industry. This is crucial in developing countries like Nigeria, where stereotypes and limited access to resources have historically excluded women from the tech space​.