Sharjah International Award Honors Refugee Empowerment Through Digital Skills
The Big Heart Foundation has announced that Conexión África is the winner of the Sharjah International Award for Refugee Advocacy and Support 2025. This prestigious recognition acknowledges the organization’s outstanding efforts in creating a humanitarian work model that leverages education for employment. Conexión África focuses on lifting refugees out of poverty in East Africa, particularly in Kenya, Malawi, and Uganda, by transforming digital skills into sustainable job opportunities.
A Global Model for Sustainable Digital Empowerment
Since its establishment in 2019, Conexión África has exemplified a pioneering model of transforming digital education into a means of livelihood. The organization bridges the gap between education and income generation. It offers practical training in advanced digital skills, which directly contributes to income generation through freelancing and long-term employment. Conexión África has trained over a thousand refugees in Kenya, Malawi, and Uganda, with its indirect impact reaching over 7,000 beneficiaries. The organization’s programs have resulted in employment rates of up to 90 percent and a tenfold increase in beneficiaries’ monthly income, reaching approximately $200 USD, up from less than $1 USD per day.
Conexión África is a regional branch of Conexión, which was founded by Jenjo in Paris in 2016. Jenjo’s personal experience as a refugee has become a global inspiration for harnessing technology to serve humanity.
Programs and Impact
Conexión África’s vision is based on an integrated system of programs that combines digital education, capacity building, and the provision of sustainable job opportunities within refugee communities. The Digital Empowerment Program provides comprehensive practical training to women and youth in essential technical skills. The Advanced Digital Skills Program focuses on developing professional technical capabilities in collaboration with the Africa Career Networks and global companies like TotalEnergies. The Global Commercial Services Program connects trained competencies within the camps with international companies through secure operational centers equipped with advanced digital infrastructure and high-quality internet. This program enables refugees to work under official two-year contracts, earning a monthly income of approximately $250 USD.
The Big Heart Foundation’s Vision
Alia Al-Messeibi, Director of The Big Heart Foundation, stated that the Sharjah International Award for Refugee Advocacy and Support was launched to support efforts to transform the course of humanitarian work towards lasting results. The award aims to prioritize dignity, promote self-reliance, sustainable development, and economic participation. She added that the award sends a message to all donors and policymakers, encouraging them to invest in solutions that build capacity and strengthen markets, ultimately uplifting communities in the long term.
Conexión África’s recognition with the Sharjah International Award for Refugee Advocacy and Support is a culmination of several accolades, including the Google Impact Challenge in 2019 and 2021, the MIT Solve Digital Inclusion Challenge in 2021, and the Digital Innovation Award for Giving Warriors in 2025. Conexión África will receive the award and a sum of 500,000 dirhams (equivalent to $136,000 USD) to expand its operations and impact within the communities in need.
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