Andela partners with Rwandan govt to launch pan-African tech hub in Kigali

Andela, a talent accelerator that trains software developers and pairs them with top employers around the world, has announced that it is partnering with the Rwanda Development Board to launch a pan-African tech hub in Kigali.

In a statement yesterday (24 July) Andela announced that it would launch the hub later this year in December.

The New York based company stated that it had selected Kigali to host its first-pan African hub because of its strong existing infrastructure and ease of access for developers across the continent.

Andela’s first pan-African hub will open in Kigali, Rwanda later on this year in December

Andela co-founder and CEO Jeremy Johnson said the company was thrilled to partner with the Rwandan government whose mission too grow and sustain a “pan-Africa elite tech workforce” was aligned to his company’s goals.

“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,” added Johnson.

Intent on solving Africa’s tech talent shortage by accelerating the growth of tech ecosystems on the continent, Andela has over the last four years been been operating in Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda. The company has over 700 developers in Lagos, Nairobi and Kampala.

In the same statement, Andela vice president for global operations Seni Sulyman said the Kigali hub will extend opportunities to more software engineers from across the continent who will make their mark on the global tech scene from the Rwandan capital.

Rwandan Development Board CEO Clare Akamanzi said the partnership will accelerate Kigali’s growth as a global tech hub while also advancing skills development and employment opportunities for young talented Africans.

Andela will open applications for its programme as well as for its Andela Learning Community (ALC) in Rwanda and Tanzania next month.

Featured image: Andela software developers in training (Supplied)