Coding for change
Jamaica joins global movement to train one million female coders by 2030
Published:Friday | October 3, 2025 | 12:11 AMErica Virtue/Senior Gleaner Writer
Jamaica has officially become the 89th country to launch iamtheCODE, a global initiative aimed at empowering young girls and women through digital literacy and coding. The programme, which seeks to develop one million coders by 2030, targets marginalised communities where digital skills are scarce but needed most.
The local chapter was launched yesterday at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston. Attending the event were Lady Mariéme Jamme, founder and CEO of iamtheCODE, and co-founders of the Caribbean chapter, Mariame McIntosh Robinson and Nadeen Matthews Blair. They encouraged both sponsors and participants to support and engage with the programme.
Designed specifically for disadvantaged girls and young women, the initiative offers digital training to help them become economically independent and equipped for the modern workforce.
In an interview with The Gleaner, Lady Jamme recounted how she met McIntosh Robinson and Matthews Blair through the World Economic Forum (WEF).
“We were selected [among 1,500] Young Global Leaders of the World Economic Forum. I was the first Senegalese to be selected, while I was in the UK, and largely because of the cross-continent work I was doing,” she revealed.
McIntosh Robinson is described by the WEF as a global financial services expert with decades of experience as an investor, board member, and advisor. She currently leads Global Triangle Advisors, a leadership and business transformation firm serving the US and Caribbean.
Matthews Blair, who sealed the decision to launch the programme in Jamaica after meeting Jamme in Singapore, is a recognised consultant in AI and digital transformation. With over 20 years of experience in banking, coaching, and workforce development, she specializes in aligning digital strategy with financial performance.
“Because I really love Jamaica, ... I thought, you know, why not help them? Because they have infrastructure, connections, connectivity,” Lady Jamme told The Gleaner.
iamtheCODE uses a 12-week blended learning model focused on coding, technical skills, and soft skills. Participants learn programming languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python, through partnerships with platforms like Codecademy and Practice Labs, allowing both theoretical and hands-on learning.
More than just coding, the curriculum emphasises essential soft skills such as analytical thinking, leadership, empathy, communication, and negotiation – qualities recruiters look for in the digital economy.
Lady Jamme explained that while the programme focuses on young girls, it also welcomes older women, including retirees and those 40+ seeking to reskill or contribute as coaches, bloggers, or entrepreneurs.
“We have the different age groups. We have the 11-18; 18-25 years, which is a very critical and the age gap looking for a job. Because you just came out of university, you know, qualified enough, but you haven’t had your first job yet. So you are like, where do I go? And it’s very good for you at that age.
“But also the 40-plus years, who are like, hey, I’ve got like 10 years of experience. I want to improve myself, or I’m 50 years old,” she said, noting that for any woman who wants to grow, learn, or contribute.
Globally, more than 230 million girls are out of school, and Jamme sees iamtheCODE as a way to help close that gap.
With the Caribbean chapter now live, a Jamaican teacher will serve as the implementing partner. Jamme said she has full confidence in the team leading the local effort.
“It’s really a win-win ... . I can give it to them knowing that it’s going to be in good hands because the platform is very expensive. We work really hard to build it globally, and so we need to put it in the hands of the right people,” she said.
Lady Jamme also met with Education Minister Senator Dana Morris-Dixon, who has expressed strong support for the initiative.
Registration for the programme is open immediately, with the first 12-week online cohort set to begin in January 2026.
“I think they want to accelerate this very quickly,” explained Lady Jamme.
As of now, iamtheCODE has reached over 50 per cent of its goal to train one million young women by 2030. With Jamaica on board, that vision moves one step closer to reality.