The Netherlands is actively seeking out African software developers to meet the increasing demand for technical talent in Europe. This mutually beneficial relationship allows Europe to address its shortage of developers, while Africans gain access to more job opportunities. Tunga, a rising player in the industry, is facilitating this collaboration.
Similar to other global markets, Europe is facing a shortage of software developers that cannot be met by its local talent pool. As a result, the demand for technical skills has led to the recruitment of young, tech-savvy individuals from countries like India and Africa. Recent statistics from the Africa Developer Ecosystem report indicate that 38% of Africa’s 716,000 developers work for companies headquartered outside the continent. The Netherlands, in particular, is experiencing this trend and recognizes the potential in Africa’s pool of skilled developers. Michel Deelen, the Dutch Consul General, explains that they are actively working to address this shortage, which is why they are focusing on Africa.
During a recent event in Lagos, Deelen discussed the Tech Impact Academy (TIA), a new initiative that trains software developers in Nigeria. TIA aims to nurture African talent and serve as a talent pipeline for Tunga, a Dutch organization similar to Andela that connects African software developers with global clients. Tunga has been operating in Nigeria, Uganda, and Kenya for about six years, and claims to have over 1500 software developers in its community.
According to Jori Gerritsenn, program manager at Tunga, the company’s goal is to create attractive job opportunities for African youths. Their mission is to bridge the gap between the high demand for software developers in the EU/US markets and the potential of African developers, providing them with sustainable jobs on the international market. This creates a win-win situation where African developers can work remotely for global firms, gain valuable experience, and connect with global networks.
So why focus on Africa? The answer is simple: why not? The continent has seen a rise in technical talent as more young people seize the opportunity to meet the global demand for technology skills. From Lagos to Rwanda, alternative learning platforms like AltSchool have played a significant role in nurturing tech talent with skills that can compete on a global scale. Moreover, sourcing talent from Africa is cost-effective. The conversion of hard currency to local currency makes hiring skilled developers more affordable, making it an attractive option for foreign businesses.
Moreover, experienced developers in Africa often encounter difficulties in finding well-paying jobs within the continent due to a limited number of companies offering competitive salaries on a global scale. Consequently, they often explore job opportunities outside of Africa. This aligns with the increasing demand for skilled developers in Europe, making Africa an excellent talent pool to recruit from.
Africa is rising to the challenge of producing highly skilled professionals for the global market. However, there is still a debate about whether the continent is adequately meeting its own demand for software developers. In an effort to address this, Kenya introduced a national coding curriculum for primary and secondary school students last year. Additionally, in collaboration with Microsoft, the country launched a digital talent program to cultivate a workforce of tech professionals. Issues within Nigeria’s academic sector have also sparked widespread interest in acquiring tech skills, contributing to the development of a technically proficient continent.
According to Deelen, the Consul General of the Netherlands, Africa, and specifically Nigeria, is deviating from the traditional economic development theory that prioritizes agriculture, then industry, and finally services like ICT. Instead, Nigeria’s technology sector has surpassed other sectors, allowing the country to skip areas of slow growth and focus on what is effective. Deelen expresses satisfaction with this progress and assures that the Dutch government will continue supporting impactful initiatives such as Tunga throughout Africa.
