Andela launches in Egypt, signs agreement with Itida to hire 200 software engineers

US tech firm Andela has launched in Egypt and signed an agreement with the country’s Information Technology Industry Development Agency (Itida) to hire 200 software engineers.

The firm, which launched operations in Nigeria in 2014, identifies, develops and outsources talented African software developers.

Andela said in a statement yesterday that the Egpytian engineers will get the chance to work with some of the leading tech companies in the world without having to leave the country.

Andela says it began exploring operations in Egypt last year

Andela pointed out that the agreement is in line with Egypt’s ICT strategy which aims to increase the annual export of ICT services through attracting investments and creating more job opportunities for Egyptian youth.

Itida CEO Hala El Gohary said the agency is pleased to be working closely with Andela to continue to invest in Africa’s most talented software developers.

“We are happy with the company’s decision to invest in Egypt where it gets access to a rich talent pool and enjoys geographic proximity to international markets that perfectly fits the engineering-as-a-service business and would further boost the company’s growth,” added El Gohary.

Andela said it began exploring operations in Egypt last year and that it has to date hired over 80 engineers from Cairo, Alexandria, Damnhour, Port Saeed and Mansoura.

Egypt is the firm’s first fully remote centre.

Andela’s Egypt launch comes after the firm laid off 250 junior engineers and staff from its Nigeria and Uganda hubs in September.

At the time, the company said it was looking to retrench up to 170 more junior engineers and staff in Kenya (see this story).

Read more: Andela lays off 250 engineers and staff with plans to retrench up to 170 more
Read more: Andela secures $100m Series-D round led by Generation Investment Management
Read more: Andela’s VP global operations on why Kigali is strategic location for tech hub
Read more: Andela partners with Rwandan govt to launch pan-African tech hub in Kigali
Read more: Andela receives US$24-million investment from Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

Featured image: Andela Egypt country director Rama El Safty (Supplied)