Africa is a continent with immense potential for innovation and creativity in the field of software development. However, many African software developers face challenges and barriers that prevent them from getting roles out of their jurisdiction, such as in Europe, North America, or Asia. In this article, we will explore some of the reasons why this is the case, and what can be done to overcome them.
According to various sources, some of the common challenges that African software developers encounter are:
- Lack of experience and mentorship: Most African software developers are recently trained with between 1-3 years of experience1. They often lack access to senior developers who can guide them, provide feedback, and help them grow their skills and portfolio. They also face difficulties in finding opportunities to work on real-world projects that can showcase their abilities and expose them to different technologies and domains.
- Fragmented and underdeveloped market: Africa is a diverse continent with 54 countries, each with its own culture, language, regulations, and infrastructure. This makes it hard for African software developers to build solutions that can scale across different markets and meet the needs and expectations of various customers. Moreover, the African market is still underdeveloped in terms of digital transformation, consumer purchasing power, data communications infrastructure, and capital availability2. This limits the demand and support for innovative software solutions in the continent.
- Competition from established players: Many key sectors in Africa, such as financial services, retail, energy, and education, are dominated by large business groups or state monopolies that are regarded as national champions2. These enterprises often use their market power and connections to stifle competition from new entrants with disruptive business models. They also tend to rely on foreign technology providers rather than partnering with local software developers.
- Perception and bias: There is a general perception that African software developers are inferior to their counterparts in other regions in terms of quality, reliability, and professionalism1. This perception is often fueled by stereotypes, misinformation, and lack of exposure. As a result, many potential employers or clients outside Africa are reluctant to hire or work with African software developers, or offer them lower rates and less favorable terms.
Despite these challenges, there are also opportunities and solutions that can help African software developers overcome them and get roles out of their jurisdiction. Some of these are:
- Focus on the problem and the market: Rather than copying existing solutions from other regions or chasing trends, African software developers should focus on solving real problems that affect their local communities and markets3. They should also conduct thorough research and validation to understand the needs, preferences, and behaviors of their target customers. By doing so, they can build solutions that are relevant, impactful, and scalable.
- Leverage mobile and cloud technologies: Mobile phones are ubiquitous in Africa, and cloud computing offers low-cost and flexible access to computing resources. African software developers should leverage these technologies to create solutions that are accessible, affordable, and adaptable to different contexts and devices4. They should also consider integrating mobile payment platforms, such as M-Pesa or Flutterwave, to enable seamless transactions and monetization.
- Seek mentorship and collaboration: African software developers should seek mentorship from experienced developers who can help them improve their skills, expand their network, and access opportunities. They should also collaborate with other developers in their region or across the continent through online platforms, communities, hackathons, or co-working spaces. By doing so, they can learn from each other, share best practices, and create synergies.
- Build a portfolio and a brand: African software developers should build a portfolio of projects that demonstrate their capabilities and achievements. They should also create a personal brand that showcases their personality, values, and vision. They can use online platforms, such as GitHub, LinkedIn, Medium, or Twitter, to share their work, insights, and opinions with a global audience. By doing so, they can increase their visibility, credibility, and reputation.
- Apply for remote or freelance roles: Remote work and freelancing are becoming more popular and accepted in the global software industry. African software developers should take advantage of this trend and apply for remote or freelance roles that suit their skills and interests. They should also use online platforms, such as Upwork, Fiverr, Toptal, or Andela1, to find clients or projects that match their profile. By doing so, they can gain exposure to different markets and cultures.
African software developers have a lot to offer to the world of software development. They have the talent, creativity, and resilience to create solutions that can solve problems and make a difference. However, they also face challenges that hinder them from getting roles out of their jurisdiction. To overcome these challenges, they need to focus on the problem and the market, leverage mobile and cloud technologies, seek mentorship and collaboration, build a portfolio and a brand, and apply for remote or freelance roles. By doing so, they can showcase their potential, expand their opportunities, and contribute to Africa’s digital transformation.
