Mounssif Bouhlaoui, a 30-year-old Tangier native, graduated from the ALX Software Engineering programme with a focus on back-end web development. He joined ALX in February 2023, bringing with him a background as an automation industrial engineer and experience developing software applications. Importantly, software engineering was not his primary area of expertise.

Mounssif’s fascination with tech began at a young age, fueled by an insatiable curiosity and desire to understand how computers work. Little did he know that this early interest would develop into a lifelong passion and lead him on a transformative journey with the help of ALX Africa. 

We recently caught up with Moussif to discuss how the programme has impacted his life in a brief Q&A session.

Q: Briefly describe your background in tech before your ALX programme. How has this programme changed your skillset and career opportunities?

A: Before joining the ALX programme, I was an automation industrial engineer, and I was also a self-taught developer. I had developed some software before, but I lacked a lot of the knowledge and important concepts that I later learned during my time at ALX. Before joining ALX, I thought I knew a lot just because I had some prior programming experience. However, I was shocked to discover there was a lot more depth to it. 

ALX exposed my ignorance and taught me how to do things the right way.

With the support of my peers and mentors, I learned many new concepts and practised them directly in the real world. This is reflected in my new skill set and has directly impacted my career opportunities. I am now able to perform far more tasks, from front-end to back-end to DevOps, with high-quality performance, all thanks to ALX.

Q: What were some of the most valuable things you learnt during your ALX programme?

A: I learned many things in this 13-month journey at ALX. Here are the most important bits: 

• Coding alone is easier than coding with a team or group, but coding with a team is better for achieving great things. Learning skills to communicate with my teams during team projects was a big thing in my life.
• Once you learn how to learn, there’s no limit after that. It doesn’t matter what technology, language, or requirement; you can learn anything. That’s what we learned the most in ALX: the learning method. And that reflects in my confidence when I see myself learning any concept from scratch and experiencing it on real-world projects.
• We all have the grit to do hard things; we just need a community to support us and push us. You can’t do it alone, or maybe you can, but you have a better chance of doing it successfully with a community. Helping others is helping yourself because the person you help today will help you tomorrow.

Q: How does your experience with ALX compare to your university experience?

A: My university experience was great, and I learned many things that still help me in my career. However, if I compare it to ALX, it’s missing a few things. The main difference is the sense of community at ALX. You really feel like you belong, and you can see people close to you doing their best. This close bond really made a difference.

Another thing that makes ALX special is the mentorship along the way. The mentors did their best to answer all our questions, explain concepts to us, listen to feedback, and improve our experience. Through learning sessions and events, we had strong guidance that pushed a lot of leaders in the community to stand up and offer help.

Q: What advice would you give to someone who is trying to choose between learning through ALX or through a university programme?

A: I would advise them to choose what they truly feel is right for them. It’s more about their personal aspirations and goals than about ALX or university. Whether you aspire to make a difference and give your best, you can achieve it at ALX, university, or anywhere else. Sit down with yourself, compare your options, and follow your intuition. However, I hope you’ll consider ALX. I genuinely want everyone to experience its amazing opportunities and support. 

ALX provides the chance to feel empowered and supported, enabling you to achieve incredible things.

Q: How has completing the ALX programme impacted your career prospects or job opportunities?

A: Completing the programme has given me the confidence to apply to any job opportunity, even if it seems bigger than me, because I know I can perform. I have enough skills to learn anything and tackle difficult tasks. Additionally, through the friends I made in the programme, I have already been recommended and invited to a few job opportunities.

Having access to the ALX Fellowship is a significant benefit, too. Here, you can connect with thousands of ALX alumni and mentors to find your next job. It opens doors to a vast network of support and opportunities.

Q: Can you share a specific experience or project from the programme that stands out for you? Why was it impactful?

A: When we were very close to the deadline for our final project for graduation, with just a couple of days left, one of my peers, Yassir, wrote in our cohort channel that he was considering deferring. He felt like giving up because there was a lot of work to be done and the deadline was very close. Immediately, myself and other peers reached out to him, offering support and encouragement. We helped him see that there was still enough time to accomplish a lot, and we urged him not to give up but to keep going. On the day of graduation, he stood with us as an ALX Software Engineering Graduate. He made it! This experience showed us the power of community support; together, we can achieve more than what we can do alone.

Summary

ALX Africa creates an environment for self-development, helping individuals overcome insecurities through challenging projects and community events. Moussif’s journey with ALX was transformative, providing him with a strong foundation in software engineering principles and practices. Empowered with the skills, confidence, and resilience gained at ALX, Moussif now serves as an inspiration to aspiring technologists. His story highlights the impact of passion, perseverance, and education in a supportive environment.

Apply today to be a part of the next ALX cohort and you could end up as successful as Moussif. Don’t wait – apply now!

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The post A Q&A with Mounssif Bouhlaoui on a Lifelong Fascination with Software Engineering 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.

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.