Data-Lead Africa Foundation Wins Uplink Corporate Changemakers Challenge for Deaf-In-Tech

Paschal Emeka, Abuja/ Posted March 21, 2023

The Project Data-Lead Africa Foundation (DLAF) has been named as one of the winners of the Uplink Corporate Changemakers Challenge for 2023, organized by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship.

The Schwab Foundation is a leading global platform that accelerates outstanding models of social innovation, and DLAF’s Deaf-In-Tech project has been recognized for its innovative approach to bridging the gap between the deaf community and the tech industry in Africa.

This was announced by Engr. Nkpecha Franklin
Head of Operations Data-Lead Africa, in a press statement made available to Journalists in Abuja.

According to the statement, DLAF made history as the first Nigerian social enterprise to win the Uplink Corporate Changemakers Challenge.

Engr. Franklin in the statement informed that the Corporate Changemakers Challenge received over 100 submissions from entrepreneurs across various industries, and DLAF was named alongside other global brands, including Ericsson, Givaudan International, Google.org, Mastercard, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Philips, and Zurich Insurance Company’s grassroots movement.

” Each winner was chosen based on their ability to contribute to social and environmental equity while adding value to their respective businesses.

“DLAF’s Deaf-In-Tech project is an ed-tech inclusion program focused on strengthening diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in STEM, data analytics, higher education, and employment.

” It seeks to close the existing skill gap among marginalized people, particularly people living with disabilities (PLWD).

The statement further disclosed that in low- and middle-income countries, PLWD are one of the key marginalized groups, and while many initiatives have focused on gender equality and racial diversity, initiatives working to improve the inclusion of PLWD are abysmally low.

“DLAF has created the first tech community of deaf people in Africa, currently the largest globally, with over 200 deaf persons learning and working on different tech and innovative solutions.

” The Deaf-In-Tech is focused on equitably upskilling the capacities of the deaf/hearing impaired and improving their employability through training in data analytics, etech, and research methodologies. Data analytics is one of the most sought-after skills in labour, employment, and higher learning, and PLWDs do not ordinarily have access to learn these skills due to their uniqueness and peculiar learning needs.

The DLAF’s win in the Corporate Changemakers Challenge, according to the statement, is a testament to the power of social entrepreneurship in driving positive social and environmental impact while delivering value to businesses.

DLAF and the other winners have demonstrated their commitment to making a significant impact on social and environmental issues while driving business value through social entrepreneurship.

The Deaf-In-Tech project has the potential to create a more inclusive and diverse tech industry in Africa, and we are committed to driving positive social impact for marginalized groups through social entrepreneurship.

“We extend our congratulations to all the winners, and we look forward to seeing how their initiatives will drive positive change in the world,” the statement concluded.