In a bid to become a powerhouse in terms of technology and entrepreneurship in Africa, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda has given a go-ahead to Andela’s partnership proposal. Kagame’s administration agreed to work together with the talent accelerator to set up a software development hub in Kigali which is another win for Andela and major step in the right direction for Rwanda.
This partnership is likely not going to be close to anything that Andela has set up elsewhere on the continent. Given that it clearly points out that it is a “pan-African hub” Rwanda is looking at.
The Cabinet Meeting approved the agreement with ANDELA on the establishment of a Pan-Africa hub for software development in Rwanda.
Unlike startup scenes elsewhere in Africa, the one in Rwanda is spearheaded by the government. Which explains why Andela is looking to enter the market in a joint partnership with the government.
Andela currently has an operations centre in Uganda, Nigeria, and Kenya. With offices in all those countries as well as New York. Opening an office – or hub as they referred to it – in Rwanda, will, thus, make it their fourth market on the continent and fifth office.
The company must also be putting the funding it raised last year towards expansion as it also recently appointed a country director for Uganda.