In the heart of Addis, our newsroom buzzes with the latest insights from the second instalment of our ዱካ (Duka) tech dialogue. Adam Abate, a beacon of entrepreneurial wisdom, shared profound thoughts that resonate with every aspiring innovator.

“The entrepreneurs I admire most,” Adam expressed during the dialogue, “are those who see the unseen, embrace ambiguity, and pursue their vision with clarity and adaptability.” His words echo the essence of entrepreneurial spirit – a journey marked by grit and the courage to try, even in the face of uncertainty. His message is clear: perfection is not the goal; progress is. In his story, he illuminates the path of entrepreneurial success, emphasising that it’s not about avoiding mistakes but about learning, evolving, and boldly stepping into the unknown.

The dialogue wasn’t just informative; it was downright inspiring. Adam’s journey embodies the belief that the pursuit of innovation goes beyond reaching a destination; it’s about the resilience and creativity harnessed along the way – a journey painted with the brushstrokes of progress and adaptability.

Kudos to Adam Abate, a truly humble entrepreneur whose insights continue to light the way for aspiring visionaries.

Stay tuned for more enriching dialogues brought to you by ዱካ (Duka), meaning footsteps, a monthly dialogue organised by the Addis Team in partnership with the Global Shapers community. The journey of learning and inspiration continues!

Ready to take the next step in your entrepreneurial journey? Join the vibrant community at ALX and gain access to a world of possibilities through our entrepreneurship community, ALX Ventures. Connect with fellow innovators, participate in insightful dialogues, and let your journey of learning and inspiration unfold.

Become a part of ALX today!

Embark on a path of growth, innovation, and collaboration. Your transformative adventure begins here. Join us now!

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The post Embracing the Unknown with Entrepreneur Adam Abate first appeared on ALX Africa.

Addis buzzed with entrepreneurial energy as ten visionary startups competed in the ALX Mavericks Pitch Showdown, a culmination of creativity, innovation, and relentless dedication to shaping the future. Hosted by ALX Ventures, this showdown was a testament to the commitment to nurture entrepreneurship and support emerging African talent.

Out of a pool of 57 applicants, 36 entrepreneurs completed the intensive ALX Founders Academy program, honing their skills and refining their ideas. Their journey from submission – including pitch decks, videos, MVPs, and Lean Canvases – to selection was a testament to their unwavering determination and creative prowess.

Leveraging the power of social media, ALX Ventures engaged audiences and showcased 20 exceptional candidates, each brimming with potential. Following a meticulous interview process, the spotlight finally fell on ten final startups from diverse sectors, ranging from HealthTech to EdTech to AgriTech and Creative Industries.

The top 10 teams were then trained by seasoned Toastmasters coaches. They honed their pitching skills to ensure they were armed to deliver compelling presentations that captivated the audience and judges alike.

On 2 December, the top three contenders vied for the coveted grand prize of 100,000 Ethiopian Birr. Their presentations were more than just pitches; they were bold narratives weaving tales of innovation and ambition, leaving the judges facing an arduous decision.

And the winner is…

Curious Eyes, a trailblazing team revolutionising education through Augmented Reality, emerged victorious, claiming the grand prize. An esteemed judge, who is an accomplished entrepreneur, also promised Curious Eyes and the runners-up technical mentorship, business guidance, and exclusive one-on-one sessions.

The first-ever ALX Mavericks Pitch Competition concluded with resounding success, not just in the celebration of Curious Eyes’ triumph but also in the promise it held for all participants – a promise of nurturing innovation and empowering tomorrow’s trailblazers.

The post The ALX Mavericks Pitch Showdown first appeared on ALX Africa.

In Ethiopia, coffee is more than a beverage. It’s a catalyst for a vibrant social event called “nu buna tetu”, which directly translates to “come and drink coffee”, but is simply an invitation to have a good time. The ceremony, performed to welcome visitors, involves three rounds of coffee: abol buna, tona buna, and baraka buna. Each round is brewed with gradually reduced strength, and is accompanied by a light snack, often popcorn.

To embrace this rich Ethiopian tradition, we organised our own Nu Buna Tetu gathering last month at the Addis Capstone Hub. In true Ethiopian fashion, all present at the hub honoured the invitation and participated in a fun getting-to-know-you event.

Amidst the aromatic allure of brewing coffee, we were aligned in our goal – to take this time to meaningfully connect with peers. The event offered us the opportunity to celebrate personal and ALX-related achievements within the community and engage in discussions about upcoming initiatives. We also discovered people’s pet-peeves and special skills. Some learners even found kindred spirits in other vegan environmentalists who share their commitment for reimagining the composition of cement.

As part of the ceremony, we engaged in profound discussions and strategised ways to uplift and enrich our communities. Through the exchange of experiences, we identified the changemakers among us – the talented individuals driving positive change within our respective communities. In that atmosphere of discussion, debates and disagreements were inevitable, but we embraced the opportunity for growth and unity. Recognising the value of diverse perspectives, we resolved to organise a structured debate one weekend, fostering an environment where differing viewpoints could be explored and celebrated.

Of course, we also indulged in moments of lightheartedness, with games and jokes intersecting most conversations. Victors were duly applauded and their achievements were rewarded in tickets to a concert to be held that very evening!

Truly, the essence of our gathering lay in the simplicity of the three rounds of coffee. Each cup represented a deepening bond among us, with the fading strength symbolising the growing connection among us.

In all, it was a wonderful time with peers and a testament to the power of tradition, community, and the simple pleasure of sharing a cup of coffee.

Enrol in any of our tech programmes at ALX to join a supportive network, unlock endless opportunities, and become part of a thriving community.

The post Coffee Talks: A Community Gathering Over Ethiopian Coffee first appeared on ALX Africa.

Welcome. Ẹ káàbọ̀. Marhaba. Sawubona. This is all we meant to express in our Karibu onboarding week at ALX.

From May 6th to May 13th, all over the continent – in our 8 core markets – over 30,000 learners from Casablanca to Johannesburg convened at the Karibu Opening Ceremony to officially begin their ALX tech journeys.

The immersive onboarding experience began with a blended session that connected all of our new learners to the story, mission and values of ALX and to one another, setting the foundation for their learning journey with us.

Our new learners were treated to an intimate fireside chat with the CEO and Founder of ALX, Fred Swaniker, where they had the rare opportunity to ask him all their burning questions. The events featured captivating performances, engaging discussions, and impactful opportunities for learners to build relationships with one another and the ALX team.

Virtually everything was fresh this Karibu week, as we took the chance to showcase the opening of our new tech hubs in our 8 cities across the continent. The sparkling new hubs are designed to address the crucial need for high-speed internet and infrastructure, offering a vibrant co-working environment that fosters productivity and peer support.

The Karibu week oriented learners into the ALX community as they commence their training in one of our 4 newly launched tech programmes:Data Analytics, Cloud Computing, and Salesforce Administrator, along with our new blended learning Software Engineering programme.

In total, over 32,000 new learners have begun their exciting journey of Doing Hard Things with ALX. Scroll down to feast your eyes on the Karibu highlights from every city – and keep up with the activities at @alxafrica on all social media platforms.

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Casablanca | Complex Med 5 Stadium

Cairo | Cairo International Stadium – Covered Halls Complex

Accra | Ohene-Konadu Auditorium, UPSA

Lagos | The Vantage Point Event Centre, Ikeja; Harbour Point, Victoria Island

Addis Ababa | Welosefer, Kana Warehouse

Nairobi | Bomas of Kenya

Kigali | KG 9 Ave. Deco Center, 3rd Floor

Johannesburg | Old Park Station

Find out more about how ALX is helping young Africans kickstart their careers in the most in-demand technical professions – and check out the stories from some of our talented young leaders.

The post Karibu, ALX 2023 Learners! first appeared on ALX Africa.

What does it really take to make it as a software engineer? Beyond the bright lights of success in this fast-growing field, it takes a huge amount of grit and determination. As a winner of the 2022 ALX Software Engineering Challenge, Ethiopia-born Solomon Kebede is no stranger to this, having overcome multiple barriers to get to where he is today. In this candid interview, he shares lessons from his journey in the ALX Software Engineering programme, tips for tackling imposter syndrome, and how he managed to become a certified Fullstack Developer and Fellow of The ROOM.

What motivated you to join the ALX Software Engineering Programme?

I have a BSc in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia. While waiting to receive my transcripts, two friends showed me a poster of the ALX programme on the Addis Ababa Institute of Technology campus. I had previously been looking for a way to further certify my degree through Software Engineering, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. I thought it would be fun and also provide me with a good learning opportunity, so I gave it a shot, and here we are today.

What role did collaboration play in your learning experience?

It played a very significant role. I really appreciated the peer learning days (PLDs), when we were able to have them. They were highly beneficial in that they provided an opportunity to collaborate, communicate and discuss projects with other learners who were enthusiastic and committed to their work.

What were the biggest highlights and lessons from your training?

On a daily basis, I was happy to meet and work with the other ALX learners. I also really enjoyed learning about technologies such as NGINX and SSL, and the latest programming languages in use today.

Everyday at ALX is an opportunity to better yourself.

Winning the SE challenge was another remarkable experience. Getting to visit Rwanda and meet members of the ALX team like the founder, Fred Swaniker; Chief Product Officer, Julien Barbier; and SE Operations Associate Lynn Nungari, as well as the other ALX challenge winners, was really exciting. On that trip, we also met with the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of ICT and Innovation in Rwanda. I’m really honoured to have gotten that opportunity to meet all the brilliant minds connected to the ALX community, and I thank God for it.

What the entire programme taught me was that everyday at ALX is an opportunity to better yourself. You have the potential to learn and discover new things, and solving each task leaves you with an overwhelming sense of motivation that fuels you for the next day. So in actual fact, the biggest highlights of my ALX journey were the sum of all the little wins and experiences. 

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced, and how were you able to overcome them?

The peer pressure, coupled with the pressure of deadlines, can lure one into thinking that the only way to survive the programme is to cheat and cut corners, but I always knew that I didn’t need to do that. It’s easy to deceive yourself and justify your actions by saying, for example, “Shell basics are easy, and it’s okay if I cheat”, but the only thing you’ll pick up from doing that is a nasty cheating habit.

Personally, I was new to low level programming and C and most of my results on those projects were in the 60 to 90 range – some were higher and even lower than that. But what was most important to me was that I could say I learned something and did my best.

There are times when you’ll experience imposter syndrome, but if you persist till the end, you’ll either be successful, or at the very least, learn what success requires of you.

Another challenge was finding people who were willing to work or learn alongside me. Whether we were working on PLDs or individual projects, I found that people learned on their own schedules, and some, if not most, have jobs, families and other obligations. I was able to get around this by going through the list of people who were able to complete their tasks in the learners portal. A few names came up multiple times, and I reached out to some of them on Slack to ask for help. Many people were really helpful and provided me with answers.

Based on my experience, I would advise current and potential learners to find someone to work with, because going through the programme alone can be very hard. I had friends who started the ALX programme with me, but due to other obligations, they were not able to continue. The projects can be quite overwhelming, and there are times when you’ll experience imposter syndrome, but if you persist till the end, you’ll either be successful, or at the very least, learn what success requires of you.

What is your dream career and what are your expectations for the future of technology?

My dream is to be a Software Engineer. I believe through technology we can make a significant impact on the world’s most persistent problems. A small discovery can change the paradigm of how we think and can have a big impact on our individual lives. I hope to be able to contribute to new discoveries by identifying problems and providing solutions to them.

What impact has ALX had on your future goals?

ALX has helped me realise that the most important things require you to do the hardest things.

ALX has helped me realise that the most important things require you to do the hardest things. I now feel I can learn new things and achieve new heights if I put my mind to it. Previously, I struggled with imposter syndrome, like many others, without knowing what it actually was. Now I know that there’s no need to compare myself to others, because the context of our lives are different. What matters is that I continue to strive to be better than the previous versions of myself. 

Any parting words?

I was not the most brilliant student, and I had a hard time when I was at school at a younger age. Medically, I had challenges and faced a number of near-death experiences, but my faith has really seen me through to this point and given me hope of a bright future. I hope this encourages anyone who reads this that you can be successful, no matter what is holding you back.

ALX provides young Africans with the professional skills, and career support required to succeed in tech. Join thousands of other budding tech leaders – enrol in the ALX Software Engineering Programme today!

The post What It Takes to Succeed as a Software Engineer: Spotlight on Solomon Kebede, 2022 ALX SE Challenge Winner first appeared on ALX Africa.

What motivated you to join ALX?

I was driven by my passion for Software Engineering.

As a woman starting out your career in tech, what excites you about the journey ahead?

I’m excited that tech is the fastest-growing industry in the world, and I get to be a part of it.

Since graduating from ALX, what “Hard Thing” are you doing?

I’m multitasking by working on my own projects, supporting the family business, and raising my child.

Why do you believe it’s important to have more young women in tech, particularly considering how few women there are across the tech landscape in Africa?

The tech industry, which is becoming increasingly inclusive of women, has much to gain from the participation of smart girls and women. Additionally, with data being a critical component of Artificial Intelligence, the absence of women’s input could have significant implications for any resulting products.

What would you say are some of the misconceptions that exist around women in tech?

That women can’t understand and write code. It’s absolutely false! And there are so many women at ALX and beyond who are testament to this.

What are some of the barriers you’ve faced, and how have you managed to overcome them?

Being a single mom in Ethiopia, I’m constantly shamed for not paying enough attention to my child and not being seen suffering for him. I’ve learned to keep my head up and drown out the noise. I know I will prove naysayers wrong someday soon.

How did the experience of ALX impact your growth and help you in your career journey as a woman in tech?

ALX showed me the depth and scope of the tech field and what it would take to work for a global tech company.

How do you aim to make a difference through your work and add value to the world?

I want to adapt solutions that the world is already making use of for Ethiopia and make it accessible to Ethiopians.

What message would you give to young women in Africa wanting to pursue a career as a Software Engineer?

In my opinion, there is no better field to accommodate all the twists and turns of life as a woman than tech. All you really need is a laptop and internet connection. As women, our sharper intellect should be channelled optimally into a tech career.

Finally, what advice would you give to those who are in the middle of their programme or about to start their training at ALX?

It is going to take all you’ve got, but it’ll actually be worth it.

ALX develops well-rounded tech professionals who are equipped with both the technical proficiencies and soft skills that will enable them to thrive in the future of work. Find out more about how ALX is providing opportunities to women across Africa to launch impactful careers in tech.

#WomenInTech #BeBoldLeadTech

The post In Praise of Tech: Kibirt Bayou on the Opportunities the Industry Offers Women first appeared on ALX Africa.

African tech leaders are blazing a pathway for future change-makers like you, as they take the Fourth Industrial Revolution by storm. From investment to financial services to agriculture, tech is transforming every aspect of the world as we know it, and Africa’s talent is leading the way. We honour 10 exceptional tech leaders who are continuously innovating and creating a monumental impact on the continent.

Naadiya Moosajee, Co-Founder and CEO at WomEng

“Engineers design our world and our society, and if we don’t have women at the design table, we exclude 50% of the population.”

Engineering powerhouse Naadiya Moosajee is on a mission to close the gender gap for women through her organisation, Women in Engineering (WomEng), which is devoted to investing in the future of girls and women in engineering and technology. Naadiya is also a Co-Founder of WomHub, alongside Hema Vallabh. In 2014, she was named one of the Top 20 Young Power Women in Africa by Forbes. The Government of China also awarded her a special honour at the BRICS Summit for her work in African girls’ STEM education. She is passionate about developing STEM and fostering growth, gender equality, leadership and prosperity in emerging economies, while mentoring the next generation of leaders and engineering better societies.

Charity Wanjiku, Co-Founder of Strauss Energy Ltd

“It’s important that girls are at the forefront of this digital age, because nobody will hire you if you do not have tech skills.”

The vibrant Co-Founder of Strauss Energy Ltd, Charity Wanjiku, is hailed by Forbes and the World Economic Forum as one of the top women in tech globally. Her company, a solar company dedicated to powering rural communities in Kenya through building green solutions, started producing patented solar tiles powering off-grid areas in rural Kenya way before Tesla took orders in the US and UK for its solar tiles in 2017. Their solar systems are unique because they have a special meter that can feed unused electricity back to the national grid, generating income for households. Charity also lends her expertise to the architecture, entrepreneurship and technology industries and is a vocal advocate for breaking STEM barriers for women and girls.

Maya Horgan Famodu, Founder of Ingressive Capital

“If you want to support women, put them in positions to do it themselves.”

Maya Horgan-Famodu is devoted to supporting exceptional talent in accessing the resources they need to build wildly scalable businesses. She is the founder of Ingressive Capital, a $10 million venture fund that supports early-stage African tech startups — earning her the status of being the youngest Black woman to launch a tech fund and the youngest person to launch a tech fund in Sub-Saharan Africa. She also founded Ingressive for Good, a nonprofit providing micro-scholarships, technical skills training and talent placement to African tech talents in need. In 2018, Maya’s remarkable accomplishments were recognised by Forbes when she was named to their “Under 30 Technology” list, as well as “10 Inspiring Women Ruling Nigeria’s Tech Ecosystem” in 2019.

Mary Mwangi, Founder and CEO of Data Integrated

“You can do it. There’ll be days when you’ll feel like you’ve hit rock bottom, but you have to get up. Know that every day there’ll be challenges and there’ll also be successes.”

A pioneer in the fintech logistics space on the continent, Mary Mwangi is the Founder and CEO of innovative ICT company Data Integrated. Based in Kenya, her company offers financial solutions to African SMEs and especially focuses on Kenya’s public transport system, where she is leveraging tech to solve the long-standing problems faced in the industry. Data Integrated offers several payment options, including the groundbreaking MobiTill Epesi Smart Public Transport app, which has changed how fleet managers operate their businesses. For its work, the company won the MEST Africa Challenge in 2018 and Africa.com’s Brilliant African Innovations Against COVID-19 contest in 2020.

Hema Vallabh, Co-Founder & CEO of WomHub

“We need to invest and provide the support that female founders need to grow. They in turn will help our struggling economies thrive.”

Hema is a trailblazer who has worn all sorts of hats — from engineer to entrepreneur to investor. She is the Co-Founder and CEO of WomHub, a boutique pan-African incubator and the continent’s first coworking space for female founders in STEM. The social enterprise tackles gender parity all along the engineering skills pipeline, with the vision to empower 1 million girls in STEM and develop women leaders and entrepreneurs in engineering. The African Union has recognised her enterprise as the top TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) programme in Africa supporting women leaders across the continent. Hema is also a founding partner at Five35Ventures, a pan-African venture capital fund that invests in women tech entrepreneurs.

Sara Menker, Founder & CEO of Gro Intelligence

“In a world where you’re trying to make an ecosystem more efficient and more sustainable, more people need to have access to a certain level of information. And the only way you make that level of information available at a cheap enough cost is AI.”

Sara Menker grew up in Ethiopia in the ’80s in the cosmopolitan capital of Addis Ababa, which inspired her determined and innovative approach to life and problem solving. Today, she is the Founder & CEO of Gro Intelligence, a tech company that uses artificial intelligence to forecast agricultural trends — illuminating the interrelationships between our earth’s ecology and the human economy. Before founding Gro Intelligence, she was the Vice President of Morgan Stanley’s commodities group, having worked in commodities risk management and subsequently moved to trading during her time with the company. Sara has been named a Global Young Leader by the World Economic Forum, is a fellow of the Aspen Institute and a Trustee of the Mandela Institute For Development Studies (MINDS).

Sophia Alj, Co-Founder & COO of Chari

“I’ve always felt that whether you are a man or a woman, it doesn’t make any difference. Our brains work well for both of us. I am a hard worker, and I don’t think my being a woman will hinder my entrepreneurial journey. I think that all other women should think like this and act on this.”

Sophia Alj is a Moroccan entrepreneur and the co-founder and COO of Chari, a B2B e-commerce/fintech app that digitises the FMCG procurement process for traditional retail stores in Francophone Africa. The Y Combinator-backed firm has emerged as one of North Africa’s most promising startups, and is widely expected to become Morocco’s first unicorn. Before co-founding Chari with her husband in 2019, Sophia was a strategy consultant for McKinsey & Company for 4 years, serving a broad range of clients across Africa, including banks, industrial players and ministries. She has been named one of the “20 Women Behind Middle Eastern Tech Brands 2022” by Forbes as well as a RoW100 Global Tech Changemaker. 

Miishe Addy, Co-Founder and CEO of Jetstream Africa

“The key advice I would give to young women who are starting out, especially in technology entrepreneurship, is this notion of coming to solve problems that need you; coming when you’re called, not when you’re ready.”

Taking the male-dominated field of logistics by storm is Miishe Addy, the co-founder and CEO of Jetstream Africa – a tech-enabled cross-border logistics company with operations in Ghana, Nigeria and Egypt. As a personal belief, the American-born Ghanaian believes it is important to trust your intuition. That is why even after completing a philosophy degree at Havard and a JD at Stanford, she felt the need to do something more. Miishe’s move to Ghana in 2017 on a teaching fellowship revealed the supply chain opportunities in the region, so she launched Jetstream to take hold of them. She started her career as a top-ranked strategy analyst for Bain & Company in New York, and has worked with global development organisations including TechnoServe and Global Partnerships. Her work has been featured by CNN, The World Bank and TechCrunch, and she regularly uses her platform to empower girls and women to be game-changers in society through hard work, determination and self-belief.

Betelhem Dessie, Founder and CEO of iCog-Anyone Can Code

“Teaching young girls coding and seeing them become confident and inspired reminded me of how I felt when I started coding. As a young woman, coding made me feel independent and free, and that’s something I want to give other people.”

Born and raised in Harar, Ethiopia, Betelhem Dessie‘s interest in computers started from age 7. By 10, she was coding, and at 19, she was dubbed “the youngest pioneer in Ethiopia’s fast emerging tech scene” by CNN and BBC. By age 20, the young technologist had six software programs patented in her name, and was involved in the development of the world-famous Sophia the robot. Now at 24, Betelhem is on a mission to “democratise technology”. She is the founder and CEO of iCog-Anyone Can Code and runs the Solve IT programme, where she works with young innovators to solve community problems and develop local solutions. She travels across Ethiopia teaching students coding skills, leading innovation workshops, and sharing stages with industry leaders at summits and conferences like Women in Tech Stockholm, The Milken Institute Summit, MiT’s Solve and The Global Change Award.

Rapelang Rabana, Founder of Rekindle Learning

“I think we’re going to see a huge wave in the world where lots of young people are going to use that experiential wisdom that they see from being in the circumstance of a problem to come up with innovative solutions.”

Hailed as one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Africa’s Best Young Entrepreneurs and featured on the O Power List by The Oprah Magazine, Rapelang is making waves in the African tech industry. She is the Founder of Rekindle Learning, an award-winning learning & development company providing mobile and computer learning applications for students and adults of all ages. Rapelang first established her reputation as the Founder of the telecommunications firm, Yiego, an innovative software company that developed some of the world’s earliest mobile VoIP applications. She is a Global Shaper of the World Economic Forum, a firm believer in the power of education to create opportunities, and a role model to many who aspire to seize tech and education opportunities.

ALX is committed to increasing the representation of women in tech. Find out how we’re empowering the women leaders of tomorrow through our first-ever women-only Software Engineering cohort.

The post 10 African Women in Tech Transforming The Continent’s Digital Landscape first appeared on ALX Africa.

This International Women’s Day 2024, join us as we celebrate the stories of resilience, determination, and empowerment of ALX women as they embark on their transformative tech journeys. From data analytics to cloud computing, these extraordinary women are not only honing their skills but also pioneering a more equitable tech landscape in Africa and beyond. They’re shattering stereotypes and demonstrating that with every line of code, every innovation, and every leadership role they undertake, the future is indeed inclusive.

Tihitna Sisay  – Full Stack Software Engineer, Perago Information Systems

“As a woman advancing in my tech career, I am excited to have access to a wide range of professional development opportunities and the chance to take on new challenges and responsibilities.”

Hailing from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tihitna Sisay’s passion and interest in tech inspired her journey into the field. Now, as a Full Stack Developer at Perago Information Systems, she thrives on the constant evolution of the tech industry, embracing it as an opportunity for growth and advancement. Tihitna’s determination and expertise lead her to leverage technology for positive social impact. She aspires to develop innovative software solutions that improve people’s lives and address pressing societal challenges.

Desireé Makoti – Data Scientist

“To young women in Africa aspiring to pursue a career in tech: You belong in this dynamic field, and your unique perspective is an asset. Embrace your curiosity, be fearless in learning, and don’t be deterred by stereotypes.”

Fueled by a passion for innovation and a desire to bridge the gap between aviation and data science, Desireé Makoti, a 23-year-old aviation graduate from Johannesburg, is eager to explore new horizons. Through ALX’s Data Science programme, she’s infusing creativity into the world of code and algorithms, believing diversity is key to transforming the tech landscape.

Assia Jamal – Data Analyst

“It’s important to enhance the representation of women in the tech field to ensure diverse perspectives are incorporated into technological advancements.”

Casablanca-born Assia Jamal yearned for a career in tech. When she discovered ALX’s Data Analytics programme, the institution’s reputation for fostering tech talent drew her in, and she dove in confidently. To her surprise, her training journey led her not only to acquire technical prowess in data analysis tools but also set her on a path to personal growth, equipping her to tackle challenges and seize opportunities within the ever-evolving tech landscape. Driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, Assia continues to hone both technical and soft skills, actively preparing to solve real-world problems.

Wendy-yam Osman – Agritech Founder and Data Analyst

“Younger women in tech inspire me because I represent their future potential, and I feel it’s my responsibility to set an example worth aspiring to.”

Wendy-yam Osman, originally from Tamale and now residing in Accra, Ghana, is on a mission to leverage her analytical skills to tackle pressing issues like environmental pollution and agricultural challenges. Her creative venture, AgrInnova, harnesses aquaponics technology to promote sustainable urban agriculture by cultivating both fish and vegetables in a single integrated system. Wendy-yam envisions a future where women play a leading role in agricultural innovation, reshaping global trade dynamics and combating food insecurity. As a budding Data Analytics learner at ALX, she is excited to discover her full potential and contribute unique perspectives to tech solutions.

Alice Mamsana – Software Engineer and Artificial Intelligence Enthusiast

“Diverse teams always win in developing wholesome solutions. Tech cuts across all industries, and more young women in this field means more inclusive projects for Africa’s future.”

STEM enthusiast, Alice Mamsana, is on an upward trajectory in her tech journey. While her sales job in Nairobi’s fintech industry is what initially sparked a curiosity in her to learn more about the tech products that power her sector, her Mathematics background must have helped equip her with the critical thinking and analytical skills needed to thrive in Software Engineering. Very quickly, Alice’s determination led her to the field of Artificial Intelligence, prompting her to teach herself to use GPT-3, Whisper, and DALL-E 2. In less than a month, her talents opened up opportunities for her at OpenAI and Nvidia events. Now, more than anything, Alice is committed to continuous growth and is passionate about developing and mentoring junior talent to realise their potential.

Elsa Teklu Desta – Software Engineer and AWS Solution Architect

“A diverse tech workforce is essential for driving innovation and creating a more inclusive work environment. With women comprising half of society, their participation in the fast-growing tech industry is crucial for Africa’s development.”

Elsa Teklu Desta is a tech enthusiast from Addis Ababa. With 5+ years of experience in Software Engineering in reputable organisations, including Ethiopia’s Ministry of Innovation and Technology and Commercial Bank, Elsa decided to enhance her skills with an AWS Cloud Computing Certification from ALX. Since graduating from ALX, she actively contributes to the cloud computing community, pursuing opportunities with international tech giants like Amazon. Her journey aims to prepare her for a rewarding career in technology, driven by a relentless pursuit of knowledge and practical experience.

Nompumelelo Namo – Salesforce professional, Team Lead at Core Group

“Women are doing amazing things in the tech field, serving as inspirational figures for young girls. Encouraging participation in traditionally male-dominated industries demonstrates that women can excel in any field they choose.”

A decade in South Africa’s telecom scene ignited Nompumelelo Namo’s passion for tech. Driven by a desire to challenge herself and make a positive impact, she is thriving in her role as Team Lead at Core Group, using her newfound Salesforce Administrator skills to optimise processes and boost team productivity. This passion for maximising potential extends beyond her current role, as Nompumelo draws inspiration from tech luminaries like celebrated cybersecurity leader Confidence Staveley to empower more women to pursue careers in tech through mentorship and knowledge sharing. 

Onome Angelle – Educator and Founder, Onome Child

“Women are nation-builders. Investing in their participation in tech unlocks a powerful cycle of inclusiveness and empowerment, enabling them to tackle community challenges, ultimately driving sustainable development.”

Education is not just a profession but a lifelong pursuit for Onome Angelle, a high school Chemistry teacher and the Founder of Onome Child, an education nonprofit in Ghana. Hailing from Nandom, and now based in Accra, she is charting a path of transformation through ALX’s AI Career Essentials programme. Driven by both her passion for education and a belief in technology’s power to uplift her community, Onome sees tech as a tool for inclusive growth and sustainable development, envisioning a future where women thrive in tech with exposure and resources.

Oluwatobiloba Mercy Akinwumi – AWS Cloud Practitioner and Tech Advocate

“The most frequent barrier I face is the initial perception from potential employers that I lack the technical skills for a job. I shatter these assumptions quickly by showcasing my value and competence, proving I’m the tech-savvy individual they need.”

Oluwatobiloba Mercy Akinwumi’s talents extend far beyond the ordinary. A photographer with a passion for Mathematics, she’s swiftly rising as an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner in Nigeria, driven by her commitment to leveraging technology for positive change. Her diverse interests and dedication have led her to ambassadorial roles with organisations like the WomenTech Network, Google’s Women Techmakers programme, Women in CyberSecurity, and the ALX Fellowship. With her unique blend of skills, she is poised to simplify IT infrastructure and inspire young African women to pursue careers in tech.

Mahlet Zeleke – Data Analyst and Head of Sales and Marketing, Koppa Smart Security Solutions

“Providing early exposure to young women about the available tech career paths equips them with the tools needed to thrive in the industry, rather than playing catch-up later on.”

Mahlet Zeleke’s discovery of ALX’s Data Analytics programme provided the perfect segue into the tech world, complementing her background in Marketing and Pharmacy. Now Head of Sales and Marketing at Koppa Smart Security Solutions in Ethiopia, she adeptly balances professional growth with her demanding role. Engaging in transformative programmes like the Global UGRAD Exchange and Aspire Leaders, Mahlet champions continuous learning and encourages young women to embrace technology for societal progress. She envisions a future where women lead the charge in technological innovation, shaping a more inclusive and equitable world.

Join us to #InspireInclusion this International Women’s Day! Explore the remarkable journeys of ALX’s inspiring women in tech and discover how you can be part of shaping an inclusive future through any of our tech programmes.

The post The Future is Inclusive: Showcasing ALX’s Most Inspiring Women in Tech first appeared on ALX Africa.

In honour of International Women’s Day 2023, we’re shining a spotlight on the amazing women of the ALX community – our learners, graduates, mentors, and the women working magic behind the scenes at ALX. While we continue to actively #EmbraceEquity, here’s a look at our top 20 Most Inspiring Women who are doing hard things and transforming the global tech landscape.

Our Rising Talent

Mayen Kalu – Researcher, Biochemist, Software Engineer

“Tech is not a male or female thing; it’s a human thing. As long as you’re smart and are willing to put in the work, the possibilities are endless.”

Mayen Kalu is a researcher from Nigeria, and one of the winners of the #ALXChallenge2022. Her winning image – “Mom Who Codes: The Untold Story” – depicted her inspiring experience as a wife, mother, university lecturer, and PhD candidate, going through the rigorous ALX Software Engineering programme. A biochemist by training, Mayen loves to explore the relationship between Artificial Intelligence and the human brain, and seeks opportunities to use technology to solve local and global problems.

Loise Okoro – Customer Support Specialist, Data Analyst

“Failure has taught me that not rising after falling is the primary failure. Now, giving up is not even an option, but rising and persisting until I win is always my goal.”

Loise Okoro is an agritech degree holder turned customer support specialist. Her career began in the nonprofit sector and grew to include roles in sales, tech assistance and customer support, both in her home country of Nigeria and abroad in the United States. She is currently taking ALX’s Data Analytics programme – her second ALX programme so far – and is a Fellow in The ROOM‘s talent community, working to pay it forward by creating her own platform to equip and empower other aspiring data-driven administrators.

Lucy Maina – Medical Student, Software Engineer

“It’s important to know that your gender should never hold you back from pursuing your dreams. With hard work, perseverance, and a commitment to your goals, you can overcome any obstacles and succeed as a software engineer.”

Lucy Njeri Maina is an ALX Software Engineering learner and undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelors’ degree in Medicine at the University of Nairobi. Her first five years in medical school exposed her to various problems in the healthcare sector and inspired her to look to technology to address them. Now Lucy’s mission is to improve the healthcare access and support of women in deprived neighbourhoods.

Nancy Annu – Procurement and Supply Chain Assistant, Software Engineer

“Remember why you started and keep that hope alive.”

Nancy Annu is a Procurement and Supply Chain Assistant from the Eastern region of Ghana. As a passionate and self-motivated young professional who believes in the persistent nature of women, she strives to be a source of inspiration and encouragement. She is a two-time ALX learner currently enrolled in ALX’s Software Engineering programme, and looks forward to the opportunities that a career in tech has in store for her. 

Rufaro Razuwika – PhD Student, Software Engineer

“Don’t let your gender define what you can do. There are unlimited opportunities, so if you can get one, just take it. Your gender is not going to count at the end of the day.”

ALX learners have different motivations for enrolling in our programmes. PhD student Rufaro Razuwika sought to learn Python so it could ease the data analysis process of her Bioinorganic Chemistry research. After joining the Software Engineering programme at ALX, she discovered other programming languages, increasing her interest in technology. As a philomath, Rufaro is excited to upgrade her STEM status with Software Engineering skills, and hopes to spread the joys of learning new things with others.

Phyllis Laryea – Operations Associate, Software Engineer

“Know what you want and go after it. No matter what, if you have it in the back of your mind that you will figure it out, you will break through all your challenges.”

Ghana-born Phyllis Laryea is an Executive Assistant and Operations Associate at D4 Consult and an ALX Software Engineering learner. Passionate about learning, Phyllis believes that empowering women who have interests in the tech space will contribute towards providing equal opportunities across other sectors. She aims to spread awareness and provide green solutions through software development.

ALX Alumni

Emma Dicks – Co-founder of CodeSpace Academy

“Coding is a new literacy and we’re helping teachers bring this into their classrooms. Young people will now learn to read, write, count and code!”

Emma Dicks is an ALX graduate and the co-founder of CodeSpace Academy, an educational institution that specialises in teaching coding & software development. CodeSpace has received global acclaim for its highly-effective initiatives that foster diversity in the tech world. Passionate about supporting young women in tech, Emma founded the non-profit Code for Cape Town in 2014, which teaches coding to high school girls.

Elizabeth Okullow – Founder of Aafri Fudi & Lafamia Greens

“First, identify what you can do with the talents and skills you have. Then leverage the resources that you have — be it social, human or financial capital — to initiate change. Lastly, choose to be bold, action-oriented and vision-focused. If you can follow these 3 principles, you will be unstoppable!”

As a trailblazing graduate of ALX, Elizabeth Okullow has committed her life to one mission: creating food sustainability in Africa. It may be a mammoth task, but this ambitious microbiologist and agritech entrepreneur has already founded two businesses – Lafamia Greens and Aafri Fudi utilising hydroponic technology to promote sustainable farming. At the age of 25, she’s just getting started.

Joy Otieno – Programme Specialist, Digital Activist

“Be confident in your abilities, and you will be shocked by the exceptional networks and opportunities that will chase after you.”

Joy Otieno is a Programme & Operations Specialist at ALX and The ROOM, and a graduate of ALX. The self-described digital activist and Afro-optimist is passionate about youth empowerment, as evidenced by her highly educational and uplifting social media activity. At work, she builds and engages our community of tech talent by designing transformative events and experiences that enrich their professional journeys.

Firdaus Salim – Technical Writer & Mentor, Software Engineer

“Women’s voices are worth sharing not only because we are underrepresented in the tech industry, but also because we are competent, intelligent, proactive individuals with merit-worthy ideas that can improve projects and processes.”

Celebrated for having the most inspiring conversation in 2021 with ALI Founder Fred Swaniker, ALX Software Engineering graduate, Firdaus Salim is a rising force to be reckoned with. Despite entering the world of tech with no prior experience, her tenacity and passion for learning have opened doors for a promising future. Now, as a blogger, Technical Writer and Technical Mentor with ALX’s Software Engineering team, she offers training and support to others on their own tech learning journeys. 

Kibirt Bayou – Software Engineer

“There is no better field to accommodate all the twists and turns of life as a woman than tech. All you really need is a laptop and internet connection. Our sharper intellect should be channelled optimally into a tech career.”

Kibirt Bayou is an ALX graduate from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with an 8-year background in Civil Engineering. Her journey as the mother of an infant who made a daring career change into Software Engineering was acknowledged by Fred Swaniker as the definition of ‘doing hard things’. Kibirt works at iCog Labs – the first private AI and Robotics Research and Development Company in East Africa – and plans to pursue entrepreneurial projects in machine learning, artificial intelligence and mobile development in order to develop her country.

Millicent Aluoch – UI/UX Designer

“As young leaders, we all have ambitions and problems we would like to solve. Our role is to take that step towards realising our dreams. We have to take ownership of our present and future by changing the narrative through courage and resilience – not shying away from being an outlier, even if it means shifting the status quo.”

A young leader from Kenya, Millicent Aluoch is a passionate dreamer and an ambitious doer. Currently working at Proto Energy as a Management Trainee in the UI/UX department, she believes that young people have the power to make the world a better place – if they’re willing to step up to the challenge with integrity and tenacity. As a graduate of ALX, she credits the programme with unlocking her potential and shifting her mindset to seeing problems as opportunities.

ALX Ventures Techpreneurs

Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson – Founder & CEO of Healthtracka

“I want to say to every woman that you CAN. You CAN be a woman (with all the complexities that come with it) and be ambitious. You CAN get to the top of your career. You CAN do the seemingly hard things. You CAN build a global business. You CAN be a bold woman, unapologetically.”

Healthtech entrepreneur Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson is the founder and CEO of Healthracka – a startup that is decentralising access to medical diagnostics in Africa through at-home testing. Galvanised by the unfortunate loss of her father in 2019, Ife realised the need for accessible, proactive and preventative healthcare in Nigeria. The company has since participated in the Techstars Toronto accelerator program, raised $1.5 million in seed funding from a set of female-led investors, and grown in popularity across the continent.

Kidist Tesfaye – Founder & CEO of YeneHealth

“Fall in love with the problem you’re trying to solve. Entrepreneurs solve problems; we  are not in it just to sell something and make a profit. It’s about solving a problem, but also making sure it’s the right one.”

Kidist Tesfaye is the founder and CEO of YeneHealth, the first and leading femtech startup in Ethiopia unlocking the digital door for healthcare services for African women by leveraging AI and data analytics. YeneHealth was born out of the realisation that there is a large medically underserved female population in Ethiopia, with little to no knowledge on sexual reproductive health. Passionate about solving problems for people, Kidist employs her entrepreneurial mindset and 12 years of experience in the financial, education, business and healthcare sectors to lead her company to greater heights and provide this much needed service. 

Nadia Gamal El-Din – Founder & CEO of Rahet Bally

“Get outside of your comfort zone – that’s where the magic happens.”

Nadia Gamal El-Din is the founder and CEO of Rahet Bally – which translates to “peace of mind” in Arabic. Realising the need for a support system after having her son, Nadia formed Rahet Bally as an all-inclusive support system for mothers in Egypt, offering support through a wide range of online femtech services and on-ground facilities. Grown from a small community of mothers, doctors and experts to a 74-million audience of women, Rahet Bally is leading the femtech scene in the MENA region with a female-based team of over 200 women. 

The ALX Team

Natalija Puzanskaja – Senior Data Engineer

“I believe diversity is the foundation of better solutions.”

Not everyone can say they were “born” for the world of tech, but Natalija Puzanskaja can. She was born in Lithuania to two software engineers, and was inspired by them to choose a career path in tech. Professionally, Natalija is a statistician, but has a multi-disciplinary background in software development, database design and business analytics and over a decade of experience in the tech industry. She works as a Senior Data Engineer at ALX and The ROOM, and has been described as a “data whisperer” who approaches her work creatively to arrive at fresh, break-through solutions.

Lise Hagen – Founder & Director of Herding Cats Innovarium

“I feel that women need to reclaim their close connection to high technology, whether it is in hardware manufacturing or coding because technology is just a tool; it is how one uses the tool that makes one powerful.”

Lise Hagen is a PhD candidate, management research consultant and the Founder and  Director of Herding Cats Innovarium, a technology insight and innovation advisory firm in South Africa. She has over 20 years’ experience applying socio-political, economic, and ICT mega trend insights to business problems. As a project consultant at ALI, Lise applies her vast skill set to the Global Brand team for ALX, helping to unlock Africa’s remarkable tech talent.

Oyin Eva Johnson – Technology Lawyer

“Explore the full scope of tech. Don’t limit yourself to just one specific area, because it is broad. Think about where your own strengths are and play to those. Seek out guidance, mentors, and learn. When you’ve done all that, take responsibility for your life and never count yourself out. Go for it!”

Oyin Johnson, born in Lagos, Nigeria is a multi-talented human – poet, singer, actress, dancer – but first and foremost a technology lawyer. As part of the Legal, Compliance and Risk team at ALI, Oyin creates legal frameworks for ALX and The ROOM that allow the company to thrive, ensuring clients are protected and the company stays aligned with the law. She firmly believes in the potential of women and their right to be represented in the tech industry and for her, making an impact on the lives of African youth is what she loves most about her work. 

Jahira Martins – Director of Sales & Marketing Automation

“It’s a no-brainer that we need more women to get into tech and gain the skills. It’s a space that is going to continue to be at the forefront of some of the most life-changing innovations that we will see in the coming decades.”

Jahira Martins is the Director of Sales and Marketing Automation at ALX and The ROOM. She started her career in the United States helping technology companies prepare for and scale in public markets through sales and marketing automation – and hasn’t left since. Her passion for developing long-lasting solutions led her to gain over a decade’s experience in the field, working with reputable companies such as JPMorgan Chase & Co., MongoDB and Datadog. She is a big believer in the power of women, and feels that no matter the field a woman enters, it thrives exponentially.

Gladys Mbogo – MarTech Support Specialist

“As a woman in tech, it’s important to have confidence in your abilities and ideas. Don’t be afraid to speak up and share your thoughts and opinions, even if you’re the only woman in the room.”

Kenya-born Gladys Mbogo is a MarTech Support Specialist at ALX with a demonstrated history of working in the information technology and services industry. Her foundations in Marketing, Customer Service and Fintech gave her the necessary skills and customer-centric mindset to work in marketing automation and technical support at ALX. To succeed in tech, Gladys believes that women should be untiring, confident and life-long learners. 

Faith Okoth – Software Engineer, Technical Mentor

“It’s important to have more women in tech because they bring valuable problem-solving skills and research abilities that can benefit the industry. By nature, women tend to be excellent problem solvers and researchers, which makes them well-suited for the fast-paced and constantly evolving tech field.”

Faith Okoth is a Technical Mentor to over 90,000 participants at ALX, ensuring efficient programme delivery, technical support and facilitation of live coding sessions. Over two years ago, Faith joined the tech space out of a passion for growth and solving problems. She began her journey as a software engineer in Kenya while leveraging the training opportunities available within ALX, including the Software Engineering programme. Not only has engaging with the learners solidified her foundational knowledge and widened her perspective, it has also presented an opportunity for personal and professional growth. 

At ALX, we believe in the vital importance of bridging the digital gender divide and increasing the representation of women in tech. Find out how we’re empowering the women leaders of tomorrow.

The post Be Bold. Lead Tech: The Most Inspiring Women of ALX first appeared on ALX Africa.

How does a young man from rural Ethiopia, raised in poverty, become the Chief Technology Officer of a new startup? It is when talent meets opportunity, access and exposure – three elements that ALX is extending to a wave of young people across Africa.

While the rest of the world is rapidly evolving towards highly digitised societies, Africa has an open road ahead for how it wants to shape the future of the continent. With 70% of the African population under the age of thirty, the future is being crafted as we speak. ALX has dared to step outside of the status quo of aid dependency to solve local problems. Instead, it is owning Africa’s setbacks by looking inwards and creating a generation of leaders and problem solvers.

Activating Africa’s youth with the skills necessary to compete in today’s growing digital society is necessary to propel the continent into a prosperous future. ALX is trailblazing this transformation by developing skills for the fourth industrial revolution, such as software engineering, data science and cloud development, and through The ROOM – its community of top tech talent.

Humans, unlike any other species, can innovate and consciously modify the environment in which we live. We have evolved from hunting and gathering societies to postindustrial societies, more commonly known as the information technology age. This has shaped, and continues to reshape, how we do business, consume news, food, music, etc. Production is increasingly becoming highly automated and more digitised, changing the type of workforce in demand. Today’s digital transformation, or the fourth industrial revolution, is demanding digital, tech and analytics skills. ALX in Ethiopia is training and equipping young Ethiopians with these in-demand skills of the future. 

Some of our recent graduates share the impact of their training with ALX, and what it means to be part of The ROOM’s lifelong talent community, below.

The Self-taught Computer Whizz | Dawit Hagos’ Story

Dawit Hagos is a 28-year-old Software Engineer in the bustling city of Addis Ababa, where he is the CTO of a booming SaaS company. Born into humble and rocky beginnings in rural Desse, Dawit’s first exposure to computers was at the local photocopy and printing shop. There, he would play with the computers, study the commands, and make games out of troubleshooting until eventually, at 12 years old, the shop owner was calling on him to fix the computers when issues would arise. One day, an NGO that allowed people in the area to use computers connected to the internet for two hours per day came into town. That was the first time Dawit explored the world wide web from the hillsides of Desse.

“In 10th grade I took my first formal IT class, but funny enough, I hated it! We were learning things at a very slow pace. For instance, we would learn how to ‘copy’ one day, then how to ‘paste’ the following day. There were about 3 to 4 of us sharing one computer; I wasn’t challenged at all. I was really into spy movies where computer gurus would sit behind computers coding or decoding something, and often thought to myself, ‘That’s exactly what I want to do.’ I was fascinated by how they could understand the computer’s language and how they had the power to command the computer to do as they wished. To me, that was magical,” he said. 

Years down the line, Dawit ended up moving to the capital, Addis Ababa, and had a series of jobs before landing a job as a high school IT teacher. “I would often go outside of the curriculum and try to get the students into software engineering, and not just cutting or bolding text. Eventually, I established an extracurricular club called GreenCode, where I taught the students programming. I wanted to teach them about modern technology and equip them with what they would need when they went out into the real world for employment or to work on projects of their own,” he explained.

“Some of the greatest entrepreneurs in the world are sitting here on this continent and the only thing they need is someone to believe in them.”

– Fred Swaniker

As a self-taught IT professional, Dawit got his first laptop at the age of 22. He would go to internet cafes to fetch and download instrumental PDFs and study them offline. After he left his teaching job, he took a series of contract jobs developing several platforms, landing pages etc. and teaching himself along the way. When he learned about the ALX SE programme in a Telegram advertisement a friend shared with him, he harnessed the opportunity to get formal training, and has been climbing the ladder of success ever since.

Dawit is now the CTO of BeU Delivery, the fastest food delivery service in the country with an average of 60,000+ orders per month, creating over 300 jobs thus far. Asked about his thoughts on this impressive achievement, he simply replied: “I feel like I am just getting started.” He has ambitions of starting his own company that focuses on solving societal problems.

“Some of the greatest entrepreneurs in the world are sitting here on this continent and the only thing they need is someone to believe in them,” said Fred Swaniker, founder of ALX and The ROOM. Dawit is one of many young people who combined their talent and drive with the opportunity, access and exposure ALX provided to untap their potential and work towards solving problems in society.

Software Engineering: The Art of Problem Solving | Yosef Ayele’s Story

Yosef Ayele is another Software Engineer who catapulted himself into an upward trajectory by pairing his own motivation with the tools that the SE programme at ALX equipped him with. “Software engineering is more of a mentality than it is coding,” said Yosef. “Problem solving skills are more important than the ability to purely write code. ALX created a habit loop of researching, learning, then applying” he shared. In that loop, debugging is an area that the SE programme prioritised.

“Coding isn’t an art that flows organically. Problems are bound to occur, and we should expect them to. Facing a new problem is a good thing because you’re both learning something new as well as learning a new solution. It would take me all day to understand what one error message meant, but I learned several new things in that process. Then I started building a log of errors which helped me solve issues more quickly in the future” explained Yosef. 

The SE programme is a project-based course that incorporates a minimum of two group projects per sprint. With the groups consisting of students across Africa, it has allowed for people in different countries to build connections across boundaries, share their experiences, and gain exposure to other country’s challenges and successes. “That, combined with the deadline-driven projects, created a time crunch mentality that pushed us to code at a high-level, international standard. Learning to write code is one thing, but writing code that is readable by any software engineer anywhere in the world for the purpose of maintenance and building is another thing entirely. Engineers who can do that are the ones you want on your team,” explained Yosef.

“Problem solving skills are more important than the ability to purely write code. ALX created a habit loop of researching, learning, then applying… That, combined with the deadline-driven projects, created a time crunch mentality that pushed us to code at a high-level, international standard.“

– Yosef Ayele

The ALX SE programme strives to blur the barriers between academic life and work life. When Yosef began the SE programme, he was working as an intern with the Orange Digital Center in the ICT park in Addis Ababa. He was tasked with building a mobile application that transcribes Amharic voice into text. “I had to dig through lots of documents to understand how to tackle this project with my partner. I handled the language processing and modelling side of things while she handled the android interface part,” he explained. To develop the language processing and modelling, he used the same language that he was learning in the ALX programme – the C programme language. “I was learning through ALX and applying what I was learning at my internship. We successfully built the application and submitted the project to the Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MiNT)”.

In the future, Yosef plans to start his own fintech company. “I don’t want us to be a cash-based society any longer. As long as you have a smartphone, you should be able to move money around. I don’t even think we need to go through spending unnecessary resources and capital on the debit card system. We can remove the cost of producing cards and scanning machinery and have 100% digital payments,” said Yosef.

Practice Made Her Perfect | Kalkidan Berta’s Story

Kalkidan Berta is another ALX SE programme graduate who elevated her career path. “ALX definitely enhanced my software engineering skills by providing structure around learning software development methods and providing ample practice to thoroughly absorb the modules,” she said. “I studied Computer Science in college, and there wasn’t much time in between learning the modules and being tested on them. What I love about ALX is that we are given several tasks to practise and apply the modules,” she explained.

“ALX definitely enhanced my software engineering skills by providing structure around learning software development methods and providing ample practice to thoroughly absorb the modules.”

– Kalkidan Berta

When Kalkidan began the SE programme, she was working in the job creation department of the local municipality doing basic data entry, but yearning to do more, earn more, and apply more of herself. Today, she’s a software developer for a growing digital banking platform in a positive and challenging work environment with dreams of starting her own SaaS company one day. She credits ALX for encouraging her to set a goal and go after it relentlessly. “Anyone can apply to this programme. Seventy hours a week may seem like a lot, but while you’re doing the projects, time flies by. If you’re someone who likes solving problems, then this is a fun programme to be in, and I highly recommend it!” said Kalkidan.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed leaders can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever will,” said American anthropologist Margaret Mead. With all of the untapped talent that lies in Ethiopia and throughout the African continent, ALX is knocking down barriers in building the future of talent, cultivating a generation of young people who are harnessing the opportunities of the digital age and creating ripple effects that will drive prosperity for many generations to come.

ALX is at the forefront of equipping young professionals in Ethiopia and across the African continent with the most in-demand skills that will power the future. Its world-class tech training programmes enable individuals to future-proof their careers and become agile digital leaders for the 21st century. Find out more at www.alxethiopia.com.

The post Leading from Within: How ALX is Creating a New Generation of Problem Solvers in Ethiopia first appeared on ALX Africa.