Overcoming Barriers in Technology
For many individuals, the barriers to entering the technology field are as psychological as they are technical. One participant in a recent report expressed, “I saw the tweets and heard the rumors, but to me technology just meant ‘hacking and coding.’ I never imagined that this would be a space where I could truly belong.”
A Transformative Experience
This participant was among 100 women chosen for the competitive Masterclass 2025 cohort. What began as a “quietly scary” leap of faith evolved into a significant career shift. After undergoing intensive training, she was selected as one of only ten women for a high-stakes six-month internship within PalmPay’s in-house team.
Diversity as a Cornerstone of Fintech
Unlike traditional coding bootcamps, the PalmPay Purple Women program emphasizes that a thriving fintech ecosystem depends on workforce diversity. This initiative provides specialized training in critical areas such as:
Specialized Training Programs
● Technical track: Software engineering, data analysis, and UI/UX design.
● Operational Excellence: Product management, digital marketing, and human resources.
● Financial resilience: Personal financial management and workplace policies.
Career Pathways and Growth
Many participants have transitioned to roles in human resources, where they now oversee recruiting, onboarding, and payroll operations. One intern shared, “Interning in human resources was more than I expected. I’m learning ambition, resilience, and responsibility.”
Making a Lasting Impact
Now in its third year, the Purple Women program is positively influencing careers and lives, preparing participants for success in a male-dominated corporate landscape.
● Cumulative reach: Over the past three years, the program has empowered approximately 250 young women.
● Direct hire: The initiative has facilitated 20 internships so far, seamlessly transitioning women from theoretical coursework to the fast-paced environment of one of Africa’s top fintech companies, ranked #1 in Financial Times x Statista Africa’s Fastest Growing Companies 2025.
● Knowledge-driven masterclass: Each year, selected women receive invaluable insights to excel in both work and life.
Embracing a Collaborative Culture
A notable aspect of the program is PalmPay’s distinctive corporate culture, which aims to dismantle the conventional African corporate hierarchy. The initiative introduces a “no door” policy for participants, allowing interns to approach the managing director directly with their ideas.
Shifting Paradigms in Corporate Dynamics
“The atmosphere has completely changed. There’s less hierarchy and more collaboration,” remarked one intern. “It fosters an open, empowering work environment, minimizing toxicity.”
Nigeria at the Forefront of Technology
As Nigeria solidifies its position as a leading technology hub, the Purple Women program exemplifies how market leaders can facilitate sustainable and inclusive growth. By cultivating both hard technical skills and soft organizational leadership qualities, PalmPay is ensuring that the expanding fintech sector reflects the diversity of the millions of customers it serves.
Advancing Financial Inclusion
PalmPay stands out as a leading fintech platform focused on emerging markets, dedicated to advancing financial inclusion and economic empowerment. The platform equips individuals and businesses with the tools to effectively manage and grow their financial resources through a secure, user-friendly suite of services.
Comprehensive Financial Solutions
PalmPay provides an extensive array of products, including mobile payments, embedded credit, savings, and microinsurance, through its app and mobile money agent network. Since its launch in Nigeria under a Mobile Money Operator License in 2019, the platform has attracted over 35 million app users and connected with more than 1 million businesses through its network of agents and merchants, with current operations in Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, and Bangladesh.
