Andela Is Set To Launch Its Tech Hub In Rwanda
Kigali is set to become Andela’s new pan-African tech hub! In partnership with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB); a developmental arm of the Rwandan government, Andela has announced the imminent launch of its pan-African tech hub in Kigali, the Rwandan capital.
In what seems likely to be its fourth African market, the Nigerian-founded pan-African company which is in the business of training software developers to help address the shortage of personnel in the field by investing in cream of Africa’s technical crop, has partnered with the Rwandan government in a move that is expected to serve up more opportunities to aspiring African software developers.
By virtue of the recent partnership, candidates from any African country who have intentions of pursuing a global career in software development will be afforded the opportunity to do so as Andela has put in place plans to open applications into the Andela Learning Community (ALC), as well as launch its Kigali tech campus later this year.
As pointed out in a statement issued by the organization, applications into the ALC; an institution that will make resources and mentorship available to aspiring African technologists in Rwanda and Tanzania will be open as from August 2018, while the launch of the Kigali tech hub is slated for December 2018.
Speaking on the development, Jeremy Johnson, Andela Co-founder, and CEO stated that his company is “thrilled” to have partnered the Rwandan government on the project. The CEO also highlighted the similarity of his company’s mission and that of the Rwandan government as being instrumental to the agreement of terms by both parties. “In Kigali, we have found a location that makes travel to-and-from other African countries seamless and also has the modern and connected infrastructure we require to collaborate with a global workforce,” he further stated.
Since its inception in 2014, the company lays claim to having hired and developed as many as 700 software engineers across the continent. It also boasts a clientele that features over 150 global companies with names like Github, Viacom, and Pluralsight popping up amongst others.
With Kigali witnessing giant strides and significant inputs in the area of ICT excellence in recent times, the timing of the partnership could not have been better as the East African nation set its sights on becoming one of the key tech hubs in the sub-region.
As spelled out in the press release, Seni Sulyman, Vice President – Global Operations, Andela, reiterated the importance of “connecting talent with opportunity” to the company’s ideals. He also submitted that the opening of the Kigali tech hub would create opportunities for many software engineers across the continent to hone their skills and leave their mark on the global tech scene.
Andela’s partners on the project, RDB, are expected to weigh in with support as the company seeks to channel efforts towards building a pan-African workforce. The agency is also expected to buoy plans of unearthing and nurturing some of the best Rwandan and African talents in software development. It is hoped that these efforts will bolster Andela’s roster as it plans to add to its burgeoning list of software developers spread across its existing locations in Lagos, Kampala, and Nairobi.
“We are delighted to partner with Andela to build the next generation of technology leaders who will lead innovation in Kigali and beyond,” said Clare Akamanzi, Chief Executive Officer, RDB. He also heralded the partnership as being a welcome development while also affirming that it will accelerate the nation’s charge for a seat amongst the committee of global technology hubs. He concluded by highlighting the importance of the project in advancing skills development and creating employment opportunities for the teeming community of young and talented Africans.
Image Source: footprint2africa.com
