Microsoft’s AppFactory program is Empowering Africa’s young developers with skills and modern technologies

Microsoft’s AppFactory program is Empowering Africa’s young developers with skills and modern technologies

Microsoft 4Afrika Academy dean, Lutz Ziob talks about the Microsoft AppFactory Program.

AppFactory
Lutz Ziob speaks to the media

The idea of the Microsoft 4Afrika AppFactory is to bridge the gap of Africans who understand and use modern technologies and platforms. Making them highly employable with modern developer and digital skills in this era of digital transformation.

Microsoft started with two Microsoft development centers for developers in Africa, in south Africa and Egypt back in 2013. The program currently has 16 AppFactory academies across Africa, located in Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Egypt, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Mauritius, Malawi and Ethiopia.
[Update: current count is 19. New academies in Botswana and Pakistan.

Through the AppFactory,
Microsoft 4Afrika is empowering Africa’s young developers
with high-level ICT skills in various industries.

– Amrote Abdella
(Microsoft 4Afrika Regional Director)

Working with Partners

Working with partners across Africa we share what we’ve learned in creating a franchise program in training modern developers. We help them train modern developers who become experienced software engineers. Thereby bridging the huge demand of Africans who understand modern technologies and modern development, cloud computing, secure coding, bots and data analytics.

https://youtu.be/y0d7tETzwLc

There’s a lot of open jobs for people with modern developer skills.
And despite having computer graduates they can’t fill the jobs.
So we created a program to train modern developers
.

– Lutz Ziob
(Dean, Microsoft 4Afrika Academy) 

Doing what Educational Institutions are failing at

Companies out there today need a whole range of digital skills. In the space of creating software and solutions you have to have developer skills. The educational systems today are very challenged to understand modern employment needs and demands.
The quickly moving industry is also typically overwhelming the institutions. I wouldn’t say the educational systems are failing. But they maybe failing graduates today to be employable and a future with the skills they deserve.

What we do with the AppFactory is make them understand the latest tools and platforms like Microsoft Azure. Students learn to build digital solutions in business, finance, healthcare, education, agriculture, tourism and transportation.

We also teach them how to work in a real work environment and soft skills that aren’t being taught. Like Learning how to work collaboratively in a modern environment. How to work in the dynamic of a team, who takes the lead, what it means to stay in a budget, how to engage with a customer, etc.

Excited about what Microsoft is doing with the AppFactory program? Let’s hear from you.  

Empowering refugees in Malawi through the Microsoft AppFactory initiative with UNHCR

Empowering refugees in Malawi through the Microsoft AppFactory initiative with UNHCR

The Microsoft AppFactory initiative with UNHCR is empowering refugees to create applications that solve real challenges faced by their community 

Empowering refugees

Noah Ndahirwa and his friends are developing a software which will digitalise operations at the Dzaleka Camp Clinic. The clinic like many other rural clinics still work manually.

The Dzaleka Microsoft AppFactory is empowering refugees to create mobile and Windows applications that solve real challenges faced by their community. The apprentices learn from senior software craftsmen. They learn skills that enable economic opportunity, improved livelihoods and a more dignified community. 

20 year old Noah Ndahirwa, a refugee from Rwanda says “These are some of the reasons we thank Microsoft and UNHCR for their partnership to set this Connectivity for Refugees Project here at Dzaleka“.

More than 31 refugees and asylum seekers are currently building applications. One such app is the Habari App. Habari app helps new arrivals with information on where to find services and what departments to contact. It also allows users who can’t speak English or Chichewa learn the basics of the language quickly and communicate. Other apps developed include one that automates the distribution of camp food rations. 

Empowering refugees

People see us as just refugees, implying that we are hopeless people who cannot contribute anything to the communities we live in.
But that is not the case. Granted the opportunity, we can also come up with innovative ideas to our communities. I strongly believe that the knowledge and concepts about software programming and developing I learn at the AppFactory will shape my future in the IT sector. I will put to good use the skills acquired to secure a job or establish my own business” – Grace Kapinga (20), Democratic Republic of Congo 

 

Microsoft 4AFrika, Mawingu Networks partner to develop local skills with AppFactory in Nanyuki, Kenya

Microsoft 4AFrika, Mawingu Networks partner to develop local skills with AppFactory in Nanyuki, Kenya

Microsoft launches new AppFactory in Nanyuki, Kenya in partnership with Mawingu Networks Ltd

AppFactory Nanyuki

This new partnership with Mawingu Networks will help develop Digital skills, Coding capabilities and employability of graduates in Nanyuki. It will also work with local businesses to develop unique solutions that meet their specific needs.

Microsoft 4Afrika’s initiative focuses on developing world-class skills, access and innovation. Empowering people to turn great ideas into a reality that enhance livelihoods and drive Africa’s digital transformation forward. The Mawingu Networks AppFactory brings the number of Microsoft 4Afrika AppFactories in Africa to 16. The 2nd in Kenya, others in South Africa, Egypt, Rwanda, Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, Ethiopia, Mauritius and Malawi. Microsoft 4Afrika says last year, over 500 apprentices graduated from AppFactories with 85% securing full-time jobs within three months of graduating. This mostly because they acquire rare skills needed by organisations.

Microsoft’s 4Afrika initiative focusses on developing World-class skills, Access and Innovation to empower people to turn great ideas into a reality. This will enhance livelihoods and drive Africa’s digital transformation forward.

This partnership between Mawingu Networks and Microsoft 4Afrika will drive digital transformation in rural town Nanyuki. Equipping graduates of Nanyuki with skills that make them readily employable and effective in organizations.
Selected participants will spend up to six months working with senior software technicians, developing essential workplace skills and the ability to design and implement modern software solutions. After graduating from the programme, apprentices will have access to jobs, both at Mawingu Networks and within its network of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Microsoft 4Afika AppFactory in Nanyuki

“The AppFactory will turn young people into highly competent, in-demand ICT professionals. Local companies, including ourselves, need more of this talent, especially in an increasingly digital world. As a start-up in a small town ourselves, we know how difficult and expensive it can be to hire the right talent. Sometimes that option is not even available to us and we end up having to outsource to other countries” – Tim Hobbs, Director and CEO of Mawingu Networks.

Microsoft 4Africa AppFactory dean, Lutz Ziob shared on Microsoft’s commitment to empowering and extending reach of opportunities to individuals and organizations. 

A lot of skills development programs happen in and around big cities benefitting largely urban youth. By working with an innovative, local company in Nanyuki, we are demonstrating our commitment to extending the reach of opportunities to youth and small businesses across the country. This is in line with our global mission to empower every person and organisation on the planet to achieve more. It also supports Kenya’s 2030 vision. Which aims to become a middle-income country and provide a higher quality of life to all its citizens.” – Lutz Ziob, Dean of the 4Afrika

Mawingu Microsoft 4Afika AppFactory in Nanyuki will solve local specific problems

Programs director of the Mawingu AppFactory shared with me on how disruptive and transformative this will be to local businesses in Nanyuki. She shared about a situation with a farmer who has over 100 workers on his farm, who is concerned about intruders coming in and posing as workers. With this she said a facial recognition solution can be deployed in this instance. Using technology to solve the needs and problems in Nanyuki.

Through the AppFactory program, Mawingu will also seek to scale their use of Microsoft’s Kaizala productive app. Apprentices will be tasked with building custom Kaizala Action Cards and extending the platform via an application programming interface. The Nanyuki AppFactory will be hosted next to Mawingu Network’s headquarters. The first round of apprentices are currently being selected, following an application process. 

 

First Microsoft 4Afrika AppFactory launched in Kenya in Partnership with USIU-Africa

First Microsoft 4Afrika AppFactory launched in Kenya in Partnership with USIU-Africa

The United States International University Africa (USIU-Africa), in collaboration with Microsoft 4Afrika, have launched Kenya’s first AppFactory in Nairobi. 

USIU

The 1st Microsoft 4Afrika AppFactory in Nairobi, Kenya, Incubation and Innovation Center (I2C) will seek to skill up IT students. This partnership will empower local university graduates with work-ready skills and access to jobs.

It shows in a report that hundreds of students are graduating in ICT. IT companies however are still finding it difficult to recruit graduates who are ready to contribute as software developers without first taking them through extensive on-the-job training.

The United States International University Africa (USIU-Africa) and Microsoft 4Afrika’s collaboration looks to change this. The AppFactory will empower ICT students and graduates with high-level skills in software engineering and provide access to jobs. 

Microsoft’s 4Afrika initiative focuses on developing world-class skills, access and innovation. Empowering people to turn great ideas into a reality that enhance livelihoods and drive Africa’s digital transformation forward. The announcement of the I2C AppFactory brings the total number of 4Afrika AppFactories in Africa to 14. The others already running in South Africa, Egypt, Rwanda, Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, Ethiopia, Mauritius and Malawi. Microsoft 4Afrika says last year, over 500 apprentices graduated from AppFactories with 85% securing full-time jobs within three months of graduating. 

USIU-Africa will host the AppFactory, while Microsoft will provide assistance and access to various platform tools and networks to successfully operate the programme. The I2C AppFactory will target final year ICT students at USIU-Africa and fresh graduates from other universities across the country. The programme will run every six months. 30 students will be selected to become software apprentices, receive training and mentorship.

USIU – Africa and Microsoft 4Afrika collaboration to address competency gap between ICT graduates and employment

The I2C AppFactory shall address the competency gap between ICT graduates and employment. By equipping students with high-level skills in designing, developing, implementing and managing modern software solutions. The initiative will provide an experiential way of learning, encouraging students to develop new skills, attitudes and ways of thinking. In addition, it will provide access to first-grade jobs through the Microsoft Partner Network, increasing the employability of USIU-Africa students and unemployed graduates from other universities who participate in the programme. 

USIU

Lutz Ziob, Dean, Microsoft 4Afrika Academy

Graduates from the AppFactory are highly sought-after. Virtually all of them find work – often before they even graduate.
Across Africa, AppFactory students are learning how to build digital solutions in business, finance, healthcare, education, agriculture, tourism and transportation. As they become experienced software engineers working with modern technologies from cloud computing to secure coding, bots and data analytics. Start-ups and corporates are snatching them up. In 2017, 500 students graduated from the Africa AppFactories, with 85% securing full-time jobs within three months of graduation. Others have started their own businesses.” – Lutz Ziob, Dean of the Microsoft 4Afrika Academy  

USIU

Professor Valarie Palapala Adema, Dean, School of Science and Technology USIU

USIU-Africa’s mission is to promote knowledge and skills that prepare students for an increasingly technological world. The I2C AppFactory contributes to this mission – as well as to Kenya’s Vision 2030, which aims to improve the capacity of technology graduates in creating an economy fuelled by value-added goods and services.” – Professor Valarie Palapala Adema, the Dean of School of Science and Technology.

Enrolment for the AppFactory is currently on-going and students and recent graduates from universities across Kenya can register to enroll. For more details about the program visit the Incubation and Innovation Center (I2C) page

Microsoft 4Afrika and Ceridian Mauritius launch 1st AppFactory in Mauritius

Microsoft 4Afrika and Ceridian Mauritius launch 1st AppFactory in Mauritius

Microsoft 4Afrika and Ceridian Mauritius launch 1st AppFactory in Mauritius as part of Smart Apps Internship Program. 

1st AppFactory

The1st AppFactory by Microsoft 4Afrika in Mauritius is in partnership with Ceridian Mauritius under their Smart Apps Internship program. The 4Afrika initiative by Microsoft empowers African youths, businesses and civic leaders to turn great ideas into profitable tools for Africa by Africans. One of such initiatives is the AppFactory. The AppFactory is a Microsoft 4Afrika internship program that empowers local developers and technology entrepreneurs. 

1st AppFactory in Mauritius as part of Ceridian Mauritius Smart Apps Internship Program. 

The partnership with Ceridian Mauritius is to develop skills that match digital job opportunities in the ecosystem. The objective is to accelerate Information Communication Technology development and innovation in Mauritius by developing and empowering youth talent. Currently there are about 10 AppFactories across Africa. Others already running in South Africa, Egypt, Rwanda, Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia and Malawi

The Ceridian Mauritius AppFactory will help small and medium scale enterprises in their digital transformation. Interns will create digital solutions such as data analytics, chat bots and other digital marketing strategies.

There are many ICT graduates who have a great idea for a tech solution but don’t have the time, expertise or resources to develop it. The App Factory encourages, builds and reinforces the entrepreneurship ecosystem. 

1st AppFactory

Microsoft says the AppFactory is a fun and experiential space for young developers and ICT graduates to turn their ideas into reality. The selected interns will spend six months working on real-world projects with senior software engineers. At the end of each internship, graduates are able to design, implement and deploy cloud-enabled, mobile and IT solutions. 
There are many ICT graduates who have a great idea for a tech solution but don’t have the time, expertise or resources to develop it. The AppFactory Improves youth employability by bridging the skills gap for graduates, giving them in-demand skills. It encourages, builds and reinforces the entrepreneurship ecosystem. The Initiative builds a portfolio of innovative, cloud-ready apps that solve challenges and drives Africa’s digital transformation forward.