Ciao,
Victoria from Techpoint here,
Here's what I've got for you today:
- Training over 20K African developers in cloud tech
- UNILAG student builds GPT2 tokens off Nairaland
- Lingawa’s $1.1M to transform learning
Andela partners CNCF to train over 20K African developers in cloud tech
Andela and the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) have announced a partnership to equip over 20,000 African tech professionals with cloud-native skills, starting 2025.
This on-the-house training programme aims to prepare participants for certifications in Kubernetes, an open-source tool for automating and managing containerised apps, and cloud-native technologies, opening doors to global remote job opportunities.
The training focuses on two key certifications:
- Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate (KCNA) – foundational knowledge for Kubernetes and cloud-native ecosystems.
- Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD) – skills to design and deploy cloud-native applications.
Why does this matter? With certifications costing an arm and a leg, this programme is a game-changer for underrepresented groups in tech. Plus, the demand for cloud-native developers is growing fast — 55% of certified developers have landed new roles, and 67% feel more fulfilled at work.
This initiative supports Africa’s rapidly growing developer community, which is essential as global demand for tech talent surges. Andela, known for nurturing African talent, is building on its success — already training 15% of Africa’s 716,000 engineers.
CNCF sees this as a win-win: companies need skilled workers, and African developers need more opportunities. Participants will take 6–9 months to complete the certifications, with selections from Andela’s 150,000-strong talent marketplace, spanning 49 African countries.
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In short, this partnership is setting African tech talent up for global success.
UNILAG student builds GPT2 tokens off Nairaland
Let’s face it — Nigeria isn’t even on the map when it comes to AI advancement. But that doesn’t mean nothing is happening here. A few individuals are tinkering with AI, and one of them is Saheed Azeez, who created GPT2 tokens using data from Nairaland.
So, what does that mean? Basically, Azeez took data from Nairaland and turned it into tokens that could train an AI model like ChatGPT to better understand Nigerian context. Imagine ChatGPT getting all the “Naija vibes” right, from slang to cultural nuances — that’s what this could achieve.
How did he pull it off? It started with him learning web scraping, and from there, the process gets pretty technical—definitely over my head. But what matters is the bigger picture: Azeez’s journey, his goals, and what his skills could mean for the future of AI in Nigeria.
Bolu breaks all this down beautifully in his latest article, capturing Azeez’s story and the potential impact of his work. It’s worth checking out!
Lingawa’s $1.1M to transform learning
Lingawa, a platform for learning African languages, just raised $1.1 million to fuel its growth. The funding comes from several investors including Voltron Capital, Mastercard Foundation, and Kaleo Ventures.
The plan is to use the money to add more languages like Zulu, Swahili, and Arabic, improve its service, and roll out a gamified app for learners who can’t afford subscriptions. They’re aiming to make African languages more accessible and relevant to people across the globe.
The platform connects learners with native speakers to teach languages like Yoruba and Igbo. Lessons are priced at $10 an hour, and tutors receive rigorous training in language skills and teaching methods to ensure an engaging experience. It's not just about speaking the language — Lingawa wants to create a full cultural immersion experience using games, flashcards, and more.
Started in 2021, Lingawa initially focused on providing one-on-one lessons to African students but shifted its focus to African language learning, especially as cultural pride and interest have grown. In just one year, the startup has expanded its reach, growing to 3,000 lessons a month and recruiting 100 tutors.
Looking to the future, Lingawa has big plans: besides adding more languages, they’re also working on an app that’ll gamify learning to make it more accessible for learners on a budget.
The company’s also diving into AI, developing African language models to help with better student-tutor matching and more personalised learning experiences.
What started as a small tutoring platform is now on a mission to help people across the globe reconnect with their roots. With this funding, Lingawa is positioning itself as not just a language tool, but a key player in preserving and celebrating African cultures.
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What I'm watching
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Opportunities
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- Follow Techpoint Africa's WhatsApp channel to stay on top of the latest trends and news in the African tech space here.
Have a lovely Tuesday!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa.