Tech enthusiasts and new product ideas are inseparable. They are always coming up with new product ideas to solve real-world problems.
If they are not thinking about the next payment app to build, they are daydreaming about the next big educational tool to create to help students learn better. Their ideas are endless, and most of them are worth investing in.
Unfortunately, most of these ideas often fall flat, not because they are bad, but because average tech enthusiasts in Nigeria don’t have the right tools, resources, or support.
Some are stuck with a laptop that lags; others lack access to basic amenities like electricity, and many simply don’t get the visibility they need.
However, with initiatives like Upskill with Cardtonic, many techies are receiving the support, resources, and opportunities they need to bring their ideas to life.
In the latest edition, Upskill 3.0, 20 tech enthusiasts received brand-new MacBook Pros and cash prizes to build their careers.
Impact of the Upskill Program over the Years
Cardtonic, a leading fintech brand in Nigeria, launched the Upskill program to support Nigerian tech enthusiasts struggling to build their careers. This involves equipping them with the right tools, support, and opportunities to thrive in the tech industry.
In the first edition of Upskill in 2022, this goal became a reality as 15 tech enthusiasts in Nigeria received brand-new MacBooks to boost their careers. Then, Upskill 2.0 came back bigger and better in 2024, supporting 20 tech enthusiasts with brand-new MacBooks and cash prizes for 13 runners-up.
However, beyond the laptops and cash prizes, the two Upskill editions have made a significant difference in the Nigerian tech industry. Some of the Upskill winners have built unique projects and products, just because they have the right tools. Many have secured better job opportunities because they had the right resources to practice and sharpen their skills. As a matter of fact, some Upskill alumni are currently working at Cardtonic as full-time staff, using their skills to contribute to the company’s growth.
This positive outcome shows that Nigerian techies can indeed build unique products, make a positive impact, and support overall economic growth when they have access to the right tools and opportunities. It also reflects the significant role Cardtonic plays in the Nigerian tech industry. Making cross-border payments easy through virtual dollar cards, allowing Nigerians to spend their digital assets like gift cards, and also equipping tech enthusiasts with the resources and opportunities they need to thrive in their careers.
Upskill 3.0: The Expectation, Outcome, and the Bigger Picture
On June 23, 2025, Cardtonic announced the long-awaited news: the launch of the Upskill 3.0 application.
This edition offered another set of 20 techies a chance to win a new MacBook Pro as long as they were in any of these tech fields: software development, data analysis, project management, content creation, or creative design.
As expected, thousands of applications rolled in because who doesn’t want to get a brand-new MacBook Pro for free? It was indeed a tough competition, with over 16,000 tech enthusiasts submitting their applications.
However, the Upskill team employed a fair and structured process to narrow the numbers, from the skills assessment phase through the interview stage to the final announcement.
After the rigorous selection process, the most anticipated news broke: the announcement of the Upskill 3.0 winners. This joy became a reality on the 1st of November 2025, the Upskill 3.0 prize-giving day.
It was a Saturday event held in a cool, aesthetically pleasing environment filled with fun, laughter, lots of food, cute pictures, and amazing people. It was also a day of mixed feelings for both the winners and attendees.
Here’s a recap
Winners felt a tingle of excitement in their bellies as they awaited their brand new MacBooks, then replaced by a straight, serious-minded face as everyone listened to tech experts share tips on how to thrive in the industry, and then, finally, the most anticipated moment: when they got to hold their brand new MacBooks with huge smiles on their faces.
It was indeed a memorable event that wouldn’t fade away in a hurry, especially for the winners and the runners-up.
These 20 tech enthusiasts now have the right tools to sharpen their skills and build unique projects and products that solve real-world problems in Nigeria and beyond. They can also apply their skills in various industries or work at Cardtonic on a full-time job contract. The opportunities are endless for this set of techies.
This further reinforces that Upskill is not just a charity; it’s about bridging the gap between tech talent and opportunity in Nigeria.
Closing Thoughts
Cardtonic created Upskill to further strengthen its commitment to investing in Africa’s future workforce. This involves equipping young tech enthusiasts with the right tools, opportunities, visibility, and a supportive community to build their skills and solve real problems in Nigeria and beyond.
No doubt, past editions of the Upskill program were great and made a difference in the recipients’ career journeys. However, the next edition, Upskill 4.0, promises to be even better, offering bigger opportunities for more tech enthusiasts in Nigeria.
