Lady Marieme Jamme is a Senegalese-born French-British businesswoman who has dedicated her life to empowering marginalised communities through education. With over 20 years of experience in technology, education, and social impact, Jamme works to help girls and young women develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed in today’s digital world.
As the founder of iamtheCODE, a global initiative focused on advancing STEAMD (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Design) education, Jamme will train 1 million girls and young women across Africa in coding by 2030—iamtheCODE partners with governments, businesses, and nonprofit organisations to provide resources and opportunities. So far, it has reached over 80,000 learners in 80 countries, making a real difference in the lives of many young people.
The founder’s early life was full of challenges. Born in Senegal, she was abandoned by her mother and unable to attend school. She taught herself how to read and write. Later, when she moved to the United Kingdom, she found a new path in life through libraries. There, she discovered coding and realised the impact technology could have. This experience inspired her to help others facing similar struggles gain access to education.
While iamtheCODE teaches technical skills, it also focuses on creating real opportunities for girls, especially in underserved areas. In Kenya’s Kakuma Refugee Camp, girls trained by iamtheCODE use their coding skills to solve local problems, such as improving access to clean water and education. By gaining these skills, they are helping their communities and encouraging other young people to follow their example.
Alongside her work with iamtheCODE, Marieme Jamme also runs Accur8 Global, a consulting firm that promotes ethical data and digital practices. Accur8 helps businesses make decisions that have a positive social and environmental impact. Through this work, Jamme addresses challenges in the tech industry, ensuring that companies consider the needs of marginalised communities when making decisions.
In 2017, she received the Innovation Award at the Global Goals Awards for her work on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. African Business Magazine named her one of the most influential Africans and was included in the UK Powerlist of top African and Caribbean figures. She continues to advocate for equal access to technology and education as a World Wide Web Foundation member and the ITU Generation Connect Visionary Board member.
For Jamme, education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty. She believes that giving young women access to technology changes not only their lives but also their communities. By providing girls with the skills and confidence to succeed, she is helping to build a generation of women who will create positive change for everyone.
Through initiatives like iamtheCODE, Jamme is opening doors for young people, particularly those from the most marginalised backgrounds. Her work shows that education and technology can provide new opportunities with the proper support, even under challenging circumstances. Marieme Jamme is working to ensure that every young person, no matter where they come from, has the chance to succeed.
