Andela has identified Uganda as the next country to host its initiative which focuses on recruiting, developing, and placing teams with world-class software developers.
The software developer training program aims to bridge the gap between skilled software developers and the companies that require such talent.
Since its launch in 2014 in Lagos, Nigeria, the company has developers working with a range of companies including Microsoft, IBM, and Google among others.
One year after the launch, Andela expanded to Kenya and now has chosen Uganda as its third market. Throughout May, the company has conducted recruitment campaign receiving over 800 applications, but only eight will be picked to form the initial cohort.
“As the need for world-class talent increases in tech ecosystems around the world, Andela has expanded operations to continue connecting the most talented developers across Africa with the companies that need them,” the company said.
Commenting on Uganda’s tech ecosystem, Andela’s chief strategy officer Wambui Kinya said “the Kampala tech scene is vibrant, growing, and full of entrepreneurial spirit, and untapped potential.” The tech program is enthusiastic about offering support and “contributing to the growth of the Ugandan tech ecosystem by providing a hub for brilliant minds to learn and collaborate.”
According to Andela, they settled on Uganda after a research which indicated that Uganda is home to the second youngest population in the world, with 70 percent of the population below the age of 25. The current ecosystem provides an opportunity to provide the next generation of technologists and innovators in Kampala with the expertise they need to accelerate the advancement of their communities through technology.
Andela comes into a market with over ten tech hubs and incubators including the Hive Colab, Outbox, among others. With Over 50 percent of Uganda’s GDP coming from the informal sector employing 80 percent of the workforce, it is important to continue developing it. Andela is out to accelerate growth in this sector by developing the next generation of technology leaders.
The company receives support from a number of investors such as the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative which helped Andela raise $24 million for its Series B funding last year, Disrupt Africa reported.
Currently, the program has supported over 400 trained developers working with 80 companies worldwide. Andela aims to double this number of developers by the end of 2017.
“I believe the future of Africa lies in technology, which is why it’s more important than ever for there to be strong women tech leaders. Being a role model for girls who aspire to have careers in tech makes my world go round,” says Mbithe Nzomo, one of the Andela developers.
Image: Andela