Introduction

Gebeya, a Pan-African talent cloud technology company, has entered a strategic partnership with NVIDIA to build a robust network of 50,000 NVIDIA-certified developers across Africa. The initiative is designed to equip African talent with advanced AI skills and foster an ecosystem that can support the continent’s growing tech industry.

Phased Rollout Across Africa

The partnership will unfold in a phased approach over three years. In its first year, the initiative will focus on a proof-of-concept phase, gradually scaling to include all African countries by the third year. Participating developers will gain access to NVIDIA’s global community and resources, along with training and certification opportunities through the NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute.

Gebeya’s Transition to a Talent Cloud Model

Founded in 2017 as an edtech startup, Gebeya has evolved into an all-in-one talent cloud platform in early 2024, marking a shift from its original training-only model. Now positioned as a SaaS-enabled tech talent marketplace, Gebeya’s platform supports organizational needs by offering public, private, and strategic talent clouds. The collaboration with NVIDIA aims to bolster Gebeya’s Talent Cloud through AI-driven technology that manages recruitment, vetting, matching, and community-building for African developers.

Bridging Africa’s AI Skills Gap

Through this collaboration, Gebeya and NVIDIA are addressing a critical skills gap in AI across Africa, empowering local developers with specialized training in NVIDIA technologies. By integrating the NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute’s certification paths into Gebeya’s Talent Cloud, the initiative provides a streamlined route for African talent to gain the skills needed to fuel innovation and growth within the tech sector.

Strategic Insights from NVIDIA and Gebeya Leadership

Wei Xiao, Director of Developer Relations at NVIDIA, emphasized the significance of this partnership, noting that it positions Africa as a potential global hub for AI expertise, driving investment and competitiveness in the sector. Gebeya’s CEO, Amadou Daffe, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the partnership’s goal of unifying fragmented tech communities across Africa and advancing the continent as a center for AI excellence.

Building on Previous Partnerships

This collaboration follows Gebeya’s earlier initiative with Microsoft in December 2023 to launch Microsoft.Gebeya.com, a skills and job-matching platform. The platform aims to upskill 300,000 developers across key African nations, including Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia, and Nigeria. Gebeya and Microsoft target training 150,000 developers in the first year, reinforcing Gebeya’s mission of elevating Africa’s tech talent ecosystem.

The Rise of Talent Cloud Platforms in Africa

Gebeya’s Talent Cloud isn’t the only player in this space. Andela, an Africa-focused talent outsourcing company, introduced its Andela Talent Cloud in December 2023. Similar to Gebeya’s approach, Andela’s platform connects skilled tech talent with businesses, streamlining hiring and enhancing the growth of Africa’s tech workforce. With Gebeya’s ongoing collaboration with global tech leaders, the talent cloud space in Africa is set for transformative growth.