A career in software development is a huge deal in the global job market. Google report says that there are nearly 700,000 professional software developers across Africa. However, when compared to other advanced countries, this number is still relatively low.
Most African software developers today chose to be self-taught with the help of online classes and practice. Majorly because traditional learning methods are a little behind on new programming languages and processes. This is why some startups have focused on standardizing both the learning and recruitment process.
Since Africa’s booming internet economy isn’t showing a sign of decline anytime soon, it’s best to start developing your skills. In this post, we’ll be looking at a few options to help you launch your software development career in Africa.
Read More:
- 10 Platforms to Learn Software Development Online
- How to Become a Software Developer in Uganda in 2022
1. Moringa School
Moringa School is an online platform offering tech-based learning to students across Africa. This Edtech company which started out in Kenya offers a 5-6 month intensive boot camp in Software Development and Data Science. After graduation, you’ll connect with local and international employers seeking tech talents.
There’s also a financial aid program that offers full scholarships, partial scholarships, and student loans to Kenyan citizens.
2. AltSchool Africa
As the name implies, AltSchool is an alternative school that teaches the technical skills required to start a career in Software Development. The curriculum covers both theoretical and practical exercises. The classes last for a year and after this year, you’ll earn a diploma that can be used to get jobs anywhere in Africa.
3. Andela
Andela is a global marketplace that connects skilled software engineers with industries in need of talent. To start, simply sign up to the Andela Talent Network and take the HackerRank Coding Challenge. Afterward, you’ll be paired up with an organization in need of your skills. Andela is free so you don’t have to pay to be a part of the network.
4. Tunga
Tunga is a Ugandan staff augmentation firm that works with African software developers. Like Andela, you’ll have to go through a vetting process before you can be paired up with an organization. One of the requirements for joining the Tunga network is that you have to have some prior experience in software development. You also have to be a national of an African country.
5. She Code Africa
She Code Africa is a non-profit organization aimed at empowering women and girls in tech. They provide resources for members and track their progress to ensure they meet up their goals.
This program contains open-source code boot camps, cloud boot camps, and mentorship opportunities. It’s currently open to students in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and Rwanda.
Other platforms you can explore include;
- Decoded Africa
- Geybaya Talent
- IbizaAfrica
- HypDev
- iLabAfrica
We can’t wait to see which of these institutions you’ll be starting out with. Do share this post with other aspiring software developers.
