Njideka Harry

"My first experience with 3D printing was probably about 4 years ago in 2014 when YTF launched 3D Africa, an education platform that exploits the power of emerging technologies, like 3D printing, to spark innovation and create entrepreneurship opportunities for youth and women. *I remember first discussing the opportunity in the 3D printing market with someone from a private sector company in Nigeria and he in essence told me that while my idea was noble, he didn’t see it working in Nigeria as many wouldn’t be able to grasp the opportunity. He was wrong. *Youth for Technology Foundation was the first social enterprise to expand into the 3D printing market in Nigeria and since then a few other companies have come into the market. We distinguish ourselves, though by not simply providing 3D printing services, but actually delivering training."

"At YTF, we believe that emerging technologies, like 3D printing, allow people to design, invent and create the world they envision for themselves."

"In the maker movement, 3D printing is a key technology that allows innovation to be democratised, it’s a technology that opens doors and extends interest for people that often haven not been brought into the wings of Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) primarily are girls and women."

"Our targets are primarily young people and women living alone especially those in undeveloped communities. In addition, Our mission is simple. We create, enrich the learning communities with the appropriate use of technology."

"However, our programmes take a gender sensitive approach in order to address the gender gap and gender bias for women and girls. This is as almost all our students in YTF academy are girls at the secondary school and university level. YTF Academy basically introduces students to basically digital literacy, free mobile and application software development and then we introduced emerging technologies into our curriculum."