Andela, an American company that trains software developers, has launched a Pan-African hub in Kigali, Rwanda. Andela will be working with the Rwandan government through the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). The board aims to transform the country “into a dynamic global hub for business, investment and innovation.”
Andela chose Kigali because of its “strong existing infrastructure and ease of access for developers across the continent.”
The Pan-African Hub
RDB will help Andela create a Pan-Africa workforce and “support the development of Rwandan and other African talents.” This will facilitate Andela’s mission of investing in Africa’s most promising talent and “build the continent’s future technology leaders, adding to the 700+ Andela developers based in the company’s existing locations in Lagos, Nairobi and Kampala.”
Andela co-founder and chief executive Jeremy Johnson said:
“We are thrilled to have found a partner in the Government of Rwanda whose mission is so closely aligned with our own: to grow and sustain a Pan-African elite tech workforce. 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.”
Seni Sulyman, Andela VP, Global Operations stated: “As the first fully 4G African city, Kigali continues to push towards ICT excellence and is fast becoming one of East Africa’s key tech hubs. Connecting talent with opportunity on a global scale is Andela’s ethos, and with the opening of our Kigali hub, we expect to extend opportunities to thousands more software engineers from across the continent who will make their mark on the global tech scene via Kigali.”
RDB chief executive noted Clare Akamanzi observed: “We are delighted to partner with Andela to build the next generation of technology leaders who will lead innovation in Kigali and beyond. Through partnerships, such as the one we are announcing today, we are accelerating Kigali’s growth as a global technology hub while also advancing skills development and employment opportunities for young, talented Africans.”
Andela won the best place to work award this year for its Nairobi and Lagos offices. Since starting operations in Lagos in 2014, the company has employed over 700 software engineers across the continent who help power tech teams in over 150 global companies such as GitHub, Pluralsight, and Viacom.
Andela will open applications to Africans wishing to begin a career in software development in August 2018 and it will launch the Kigali tech campus in December this year. The company will also open the Andela Learning Community (ALC) in Rwanda and Tanzania next month.
