Sylvia Duruson
Microsoft and Gebeya have partnered to launch Microsoft.Gebeya.com, a platform aimed at developing in-demand digital skills amongst African youth and empowering them for cloud computing careers. Through this collaboration, the companies seek to upskill 300,000 developers across 8 African countries over 3 years, with a focus on cloud and AI skills to equip youth for building solutions on Microsoft Azure. Applications open in January 2024.
This builds on an existing 2020 partnership when Microsoft and Gebeya launched Ethiopia’s first virtual SkillsLab, providing apprentice-style coding training to over 1,200 software engineers. Gebeya now aims to scale its impact by collaborating with Microsoft’s technical expertise and reach. As Gebeya’s CEO stated, this partnership represents a milestone in realizing Africa’s talent potential through comprehensive upskilling and job creation.
For 30 years, Microsoft has helped build Africa’s digital capacity, upskilling over 4 million youth in the past 5 years. As Microsoft’s Africa Transformation Office GM commented, nurturing tech professionals is key to harnessing the continent’s innovation potential.
Through this collaboration, the companies seek to address the global tech skills gap while establishing Africa as a tech talent hub. Key highlights include:
Training 300,000 developers in building solutions on Microsoft Cloud over 3 years, with 150,000 targeted in the first year. Equipping developers with GitHub Copilot proficiency for faster, error-reduced coding. Microsoft provides platform deployment support, Azure credits, and marketing assistance.
Certifying 100,000 developers and connecting them to companies seeking their skills through the platform. Onboarding Microsoft-certified professionals onto the dedicated talent marketplace. Streamlining hiring through profile support and recruiter connections.
Developing AI solutions on Azure to simplify access to opportunities. Using contextual search and generative AI to precisely match talents and provide insights to recruiters. Accelerating transitions from junior to intermediate and boosting senior developer efficiency through AI.
Identifying and empowering talented engineers to embark on entrepreneurial journeys through practical skills, mindset, and ecosystem exposure.
As Gebeya’s Chief Growth Officer stated, realizing the ambitious goals will require collective effort across the ecosystem. But it represents a bold step towards empowering African youth with digital skills and cultivating world-class cloud talent on the continent.
