by MTHULISI SIBANDA
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – ALX has taken a step further its vision of addressing unemployment in Africa by enabling 2 million young tech professionals to secure meaningful work opportunities by 2030.
The global technology training and skills development provider has inaugurated the training for a second cohort of learners, with the aim to empower them with in-demand tech skills and lay the foundation for them to launch and grow their careers in the global digital economy.
The event was held simultaneously across the eight cities across Africa, namely Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Accra (Ghana), Cairo (Egypt), Casablanca (Morocco), Johannesburg (South Africa), Kigali (Rwanda), Lagos (Nigeria) and Nairobi (Kenya).
Held in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, under the aegis of Karibu (Swahili for “welcome”), the celebratory event followed the success of the inaugural session in May 2023.
“This programme is about potential, which includes qualities like courage, passion, resilience, imagination, and values as well as the power of community,” said Divesh Sooka, General Manager of ALX South Africa.
He led the event at the ALX Tech Hub in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
“The Karibu event celebrates past achievements and recognises the vast untapped potential among our fresh cohort,” Sooka said.
The executive believes the Karibu event is a testament to ALX’s pledge to revolutionise tech education across the continent.
“We are more than a training provider. We are a community that supports and accelerates one another, evidenced by the successes of our esteemed Fellows,” Sooka added.
According to the founder of ALX, Fred Swaniker, by the end of this century, 40 percent of the world’s population will be African, yet only a minor percent of the world’s tech talent is from the continent.
“The continent is well-positioned to solve the massive global shortage of technology skills,” said Swaniker, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of the African Leadership International.
Individuals of African origin, aged between 18 and 34 and with an ability to travel to in-city tech hubs qualify for the ALX programme.
– CAJ News