The need for Africa to nurture homegrown tech talents has never been more pressing than it is now. Data, published on Statista, from a survey highlighting the need for more talents in the global tech ecosystems and the opportunities available for homegrown tech talents to harness reveals that in over six years a large number of global organisations have been in dire need of tech talents.
If nurtured properly, Africa’s homegrown talents have incredible opportunities to stand at the cutting edge of advancements as sentinels dictating the ebb and flow of the world’s technological pulse. But how do we nurture them?
According to the International University of Applied Sciences — an accredited member of UNESCO’s Global Education Coalition — the most in-demand skills include data science, programming languages, cloud computing, AI & Machine learning, and software development. Unsurprisingly, every talent that has any of these skills or any tech skill regarded as an advanced tech skill has a lot to gain. According to a forecast published by Statista, about 28 million and 17 million jobs in Nigeria and Kenya, respectively, were estimated to require digital skills as of 2030.
Evidently, there are many benefits that accrue from learning and developing tech skills, but a question still lingers: how can tech enthusiasts and tech talents develop the much-needed skills they need to compete globally and take advantage of opportunities?
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To bridge this gap tech companies and organisations have employed various methods including tech funds, bootcamps and incubator programs, but one area that is often overlooked is local talent hiring and career growth opportunities. Due to the fast-paced nature of most workplaces, many companies would rather hire more experienced hands than greenhorns, but not Jumia Nigeria.
Over the past eleven years, Jumia has made it a strategic priority to invest in local tech talent, recognizing its pivotal role in transforming the African digital economy.
Through a steadfast commitment to technological innovation, career growth opportunities, and support for entrepreneurship, Jumia is not just building a business; it’s fostering a thriving ecosystem of homegrown innovation.
Ayoola’s Journey: A Testament to Growth and Opportunity
For Ayoola, a recent addition to Jumia’s team as an Android engineer, the journey has been nothing short of exhilarating. Reflecting on his experience, Ayoola shared that joining Jumia has been a game-changer for him, as the opportunity has opened doors to new horizons in his career, diving into projects like database migration on Android and leveraging tools like Github on an international scale.
In his words “prior to joining Jumia, my experience with Github was limited to local teams. But now, I’m collaborating with international teams. Going forward, this skill is going to be helpful to me, and Jumia has given me that experience to collaborate and work with teams internationally using Github.”
Ayoola’s testimonial is not a stand-alone when it comes to Jumia’s dedication to providing opportunities for growth and development in this global environment.
Tech Evolution: Samson Ogberawhe’s Impact at Jumia
At Jumia, Samson Ogberawhe, a software engineer, claims he has benefited immensely, having had the opportunity to work on projects like the Taxi application, Samson has honed his technical skills, but beyond that, he says “One skill I have actually developed in the process of working with the team is my troubleshooting abilities.
The ability to find and resolve problems is critical to success as a software engineer. Another skill I have improved on is my content skills. Before I joined the team, I was not so good with front-end development. But over time, I have been able to hone that skill and as a result, increased my value as a software engineer”.
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As he continues to refine himself during his stay at Jumia, for Samson this journey has been more than just a job, it’s been one of personal and professional growth.
Fostering a Culture of Innovation
Ayoola, Samson, and countless others continue to push the envelope of what is possible, making it evident that the future of African tech is bright, fueled by a community of innovators that are consistently empowered by opportunities and nurtured by companies like Jumia Nigeria.
Robert Awodu is the Regional Head of Public Relations and Communication, Sub Saharan Africa
