Building a robot, writing initial lines of code, or delving into artificial intelligence – these are the exciting activities at the Lomé Digital School Summer Camp. Located in Lomé, this initiative immerses children in the digital world with a clear objective: to cultivate the innovators of tomorrow.
At just 14 years old, Winner demonstrates remarkable precision handling motors, grippers, and electronic circuits. Like approximately twenty other children gathered at this Summer Camp in Lomé, she is exploring the fundamentals of robotics by constructing her very first prototype. Here, technology isn’t just observed; it’s disassembled, experimented with, and built from an early age.
“I’m creating a robotic hand composed of grippers and a motor brain. Since the activities began, I’ve learned about technology’s role in today’s world and the components of a robotic hand or other technological objects,” explained Winner Koudjra, a participant.
Robotics, however, is merely the initial phase. A few hours later, the setting changes: with a keyboard at her fingertips, Winner transitions from hardware to software development.
“We are working on modifying a web page for the creation of artificial intelligence. Thanks to what I’m learning here, I aspire to create my own website,” the young participant added.
Beyond teaching coding, the school is dedicated to narrowing the digital divide between girls and boys. Globally, women still constitute only 35% of STEM graduates and 26% of data and artificial intelligence professionals. To address this disparity, the program prioritizes gender parity and offers scholarships to children from modest backgrounds.
“Our aim is to ensure that girls are exposed to these tools from a very young age, so that in the future, we won’t need to impose quotas in the digital sector. Beyond technical skills, what we strive to develop in these children is critical thinking,” affirmed Got’liebe Bataba, Director of Lomé Digital School.
“I find this to be an excellent opportunity. It’s an initiative that deserves commendation. It allows our children to be introduced to all aspects of technology quite early on,” remarked Vanessa Lawson, a parent of one of the participants.
The ambition extends far beyond digital literacy; it’s about preparing the future creators of African solutions for tomorrow’s challenges.
