In a continent where over 60 percent of the population is under the age of 25 and youth unemployment remains one of the most pressing socioeconomic challenges, access to high-quality, industry-relevant technology training can be truly transformative. For young Somalis and other African youth who aspire to build careers in the global technology sector, a remarkable opportunity has emerged that removes virtually every barrier to entry: the RiseUp: Advanced Foundations programme, a partnership between ServiceNow — one of the world’s leading enterprise cloud computing companies — and The Diana Award, a prestigious youth-focused charity established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales.
This fully funded, 10-week, full-time online programme is designed to equip young people aged 18 to 30 in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa with the practical skills, technical expertise, globally recognised certification, and professional networks needed to launch a career in the rapidly growing ServiceNow technology ecosystem. The programme runs from April 13 to June 19, 2026, and registration of interest is now open.
For Somali youth across the Horn of Africa and the diaspora — many of whom are based in Kenya and other East African nations — this programme represents a gateway to high-demand, well-compensated technology careers that can be pursued remotely from anywhere in the world.
About the Organizers: ServiceNow and The Diana Award
ServiceNow: A Global Enterprise Technology Powerhouse
ServiceNow is an American cloud computing company headquartered in Santa Clara, California, that has become one of the most influential enterprise technology platforms in the world. Founded in 2004, ServiceNow provides digital workflow automation solutions that help organizations streamline and automate routine work tasks, manage IT services, and improve operational efficiency. The company’s platform is used by over 7,700 enterprise customers, including approximately 85 percent of the Fortune 500 companies.
With a market capitalisation exceeding $150 billion, ServiceNow has consistently been ranked among the world’s most innovative companies. The demand for ServiceNow-certified professionals has been growing rapidly, with industry reports indicating a significant talent gap — meaning that certified professionals often command competitive salaries and enjoy strong job security. This demand exists not only in North America and Europe but increasingly across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
The Diana Award: Empowering Young People Worldwide
The Diana Award is the only charity set up in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, and is supported by her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. The organisation’s mission is to foster, develop, and inspire positive change in the lives of young people. Through programmes like the RiseUp initiative, The Diana Award works to widen access to opportunities in industries where young people from underrepresented backgrounds are often excluded.
The Diana Award brings a wealth of experience in youth mentorship, behavioural skills development, and holistic support — ensuring that participants in the RiseUp programme don’t just gain technical skills but also develop the confidence, resilience, and professional readiness needed to thrive in the workplace.
What the RiseUp: Advanced Foundations Programme Covers
The RiseUp: Advanced Foundations programme is not a theoretical course or a passive learning experience. It is a structured, immersive, hands-on training programme that mirrors real-world working conditions. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of what participants will learn and experience over the 10-week programme:
Technical Skills Training
Participants will develop foundational and advanced knowledge of the ServiceNow platform through interactive, hands-on sessions. The technical curriculum includes:
- ServiceNow Platform Configuration: Learn to configure applications, self-service options, business logic, and integrations on the ServiceNow platform
- Application Design and Management: Gain practical experience in designing, creating, and managing applications using tools like Flow Designer and Service Catalog
- JavaScript Scripting: Develop scripting skills using JavaScript within the ServiceNow environment, a foundational skill for platform development
- Process Automation: Master workflow automation techniques that are at the core of ServiceNow’s value proposition for enterprises
- Data Monitoring and Instance Health: Learn to monitor data, manage system health, ensure security, and implement effective access controls
- User Interface Design: Build skills in designing intuitive user interfaces that enhance the end-user experience
- Analytics and Reporting: Develop the ability to generate meaningful analytics and reports from ServiceNow data
- Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals: Understand the principles of AI, including ethical and responsible AI use, and how to leverage AI to improve workflows and outcomes within ServiceNow
- ServiceNow AI Agents: Explore the platform’s AI Agent capabilities, including their key elements, terminology, differences from Now Assist, and practical management and enablement
- Integration Techniques: Learn how to integrate ServiceNow with other enterprise systems and tools
- Security Configuration: Understand security best practices and access control mechanisms within the platform
Behavioural and Professional Skills Development
In addition to technical mastery, the programme includes structured behavioural skills sessions led by experienced facilitators from The Diana Award. These sessions focus on:
- Confidence and Resilience Building: Practical tools and exercises to help participants thrive in new and challenging professional environments
- Communication and Presentation Skills: Learning to explain complex technical concepts in simple, accessible language — a critical skill for any technology professional
- Team Collaboration: Developing the ability to work effectively in diverse teams, reflecting the reality of global technology workplaces
- Problem-Solving and Adaptability: Structured approaches to analysing and solving complex problems
- Stress and Feedback Management: Techniques for managing workplace stress, receiving constructive feedback, and maintaining a growth mindset
- Mental Fitness: Dedicated sessions on wellbeing, resilience, and mental health — recognising that sustainable career success requires holistic personal development
Programme Schedule and Format
- Duration: 10 weeks (April 13 – June 19, 2026)
- Days: Monday to Friday
- Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM SAST (South Africa Standard Time, GMT+2)
- Mode: Fully online (virtual learning)
- Cost: Completely free
Participants must commit full-time for the entire 10-week duration. This is not a part-time or self-paced course — it is a structured, intensive programme that simulates real working conditions, preparing participants for the demands of a professional technology career.
Who Should Apply: Eligibility Criteria
The RiseUp: Advanced Foundations programme is designed to be as accessible as possible. Applicants do not need prior qualifications, work experience in technology, or previous exposure to the ServiceNow platform. The programme actively encourages applications from groups underrepresented in the technology sector.
To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Age: Between 18 and 30 years old
- Location: Based in Kenya, Nigeria, or South Africa
- Legal Status: Have the legal right to live and work in their country of residence (excluding student or temporary residency visas)
- Availability: Available full-time for the entire 10-week programme
- Language: Proficient in English (written and verbal)
- Employment: Not currently employed by ServiceNow, a ServiceNow customer, or a ServiceNow partner
- Equipment: Have access to a computer (not a tablet or mobile phone) with reliable internet connection and a camera
- No Prior ServiceNow Certification: Must not hold any formal mainline ServiceNow certifications (CSA, CAD, ITSM-CIS, etc.)
- No Prior Programme Participation: Must not have previously completed a NextGen, RiseUp, or ServiceNow Academic Programme
Self-guided training on ServiceNow University is permitted and will not disqualify applicants.
Benefits of Participating
The RiseUp: Advanced Foundations programme offers an extraordinary package of benefits that extend well beyond the 10-week training period:
1. Industry-Recognised Certification
Upon successful completion of the programme and passing the relevant exams, participants earn a globally recognised ServiceNow certification. This certification is valued by employers worldwide and serves as a powerful credential on any CV or LinkedIn profile. In a market where certified ServiceNow professionals are in high demand, this certification can be the key that unlocks high-quality employment opportunities.
2. Zero-Cost Training
The entire programme is completely free. There are no tuition fees, registration fees, or hidden costs. All training materials, platform access, and mentorship are provided at no charge. This removes one of the most significant barriers that prevent talented young Africans from accessing world-class technology training.
3. Personalised Mentorship
Participants receive one-on-one mentoring from qualified and experienced professionals who provide guidance on navigating career challenges, building professional skills, and achieving personal goals. This personalised support is invaluable for young people who may be entering the technology sector for the first time.
4. Job Placement Support and Career Pathways
Graduates gain access to career pathways through ServiceNow’s partner networks, talent platforms, alumni groups, and job-matching services. The programme provides structured career transition support, connecting graduates directly with employers who are actively seeking ServiceNow-certified professionals.
5. Professional Networking
Participants build valuable connections with cohort peers, industry experts, and The Diana Award alumni through structured networking events. These professional relationships can open doors to job opportunities, collaborations, and mentorship that extend far beyond the programme itself.
6. Alumni Community Access
After graduation, participants join the growing RiseUp with ServiceNow alumni community, gaining continued access to career development resources, mentorship opportunities, and future job openings through the ServiceNow ecosystem.
7. Career Roles After Completion
Graduates of the programme are prepared for a range of in-demand technology roles, including:
- Platform Developer
- Analyst
- Operations Specialist
- Junior Technical Consultant
- Application Specialist
- Software Developer
How to Register Your Interest
The application process for the RiseUp: Advanced Foundations programme is straightforward and designed to be accessible:
- Submit an Expression of Interest: Visit the official registration form at https://form.jotform.com/253304463501043 and complete the Expression of Interest form
- Attend an Introduction Webinar: After submitting your expression of interest, you will be invited to attend an introduction webinar hosted by The Diana Award, where you can learn more about the programme and ask questions
- Complete the ServiceNow Onboarding Form: Selected candidates will be asked to complete an additional onboarding form provided by ServiceNow
- Receive a Conditional Offer: Successful applicants will receive a conditional programme offer
- Complete Pre-Work: Before the programme begins, participants will onboard to the ServiceNow platform and complete required pre-work assignments
- Start the Programme: Begin your 10-week intensive training journey on April 13, 2026
While no specific application deadline has been publicly announced, the programme begins on April 13, 2026, and early registration of interest is strongly recommended as places are limited and allocated competitively.
Important Dates
- Registration of Interest: Now open
- Programme Start Date: April 13, 2026
- Programme End Date: June 19, 2026
- Duration: 10 weeks, Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM SAST
- Application Deadline: Not publicly specified — apply as early as possible
Why This Matters for Somali Youth and Capacity Building
Addressing the Digital Skills Gap
Somalia and the Somali regions of the Horn of Africa face a significant digital skills gap. While the country’s young population is increasingly connected through mobile phones and the internet, access to structured, industry-level technology training remains extremely limited. Programmes like RiseUp help bridge this gap by providing world-class training that can be accessed entirely online.
Leveraging the Diaspora Advantage
Hundreds of thousands of Somali youth live in Kenya — particularly in Nairobi, Eastleigh, and the Dadaab and Kakuma refugee settlements. These young people are directly eligible for this programme. For Somali youth in Kenya who have the legal right to work and reside in the country, this represents an unprecedented opportunity to gain skills in one of the world’s fastest-growing technology platforms without leaving home.
Remote Work Opportunities
ServiceNow skills are in demand globally, and many ServiceNow roles can be performed remotely. This means that a young Somali professional in Nairobi, Mogadishu, or Hargeisa could potentially work for companies based in the United States, Europe, or the Gulf states — earning competitive international wages while contributing to the economic development of their local communities.
Building a Technology Talent Pipeline
Every Somali professional who gains ServiceNow certification becomes a potential mentor, employer, and advocate for the next generation. The programme’s alumni network and community-building components create a multiplier effect: today’s graduates become tomorrow’s leaders who can help more young Somalis access similar opportunities.
Economic Empowerment and Self-Reliance
Technology skills are among the most transferable and resilient forms of human capital. Unlike many traditional career paths, technology skills can be acquired online, practised remotely, and applied globally. For Somali youth — whether in Somalia, Kenya, or the diaspora — investing in technology skills through programmes like RiseUp is an investment in economic self-reliance and long-term career resilience.
Additional Resources: Similar Training Opportunities
For readers interested in exploring additional technology training and capacity building opportunities, here are related programmes worth considering:
- Google for Startups Accelerator Africa 2026: Google’s equity-free accelerator programme provides mentorship, cloud credits, and AI training for growth-stage African startups. Applications for 2026 cohorts are periodically opened — visit startup.google.com for details.
- ALX Africa Software Engineering Programme: ALX offers a comprehensive, low-cost software engineering programme designed for young Africans, covering full-stack development, DevOps, and more. Visit alxafrica.com for current cohort openings.
- Microsoft Learn and LinkedIn Learning: Both platforms offer extensive free technology training courses, including certifications in Azure, Power Platform, and other enterprise technologies. These self-paced courses complement structured programmes like RiseUp.
Source
Official programme page: The Diana Award — RiseUp with ServiceNow: Inspire Series
Registration form: Register Your Interest
Disclaimer
Readers are advised to verify all details, dates, and registration requirements on the official website before applying. SomaliFocus News publishes this information for educational and informational purposes only and is not affiliated with ServiceNow, The Diana Award, or any of the organisations mentioned in this article. Programme details, eligibility criteria, and availability may change without notice.