GOMYCODE, an innovative tech education center, celebrated its first graduation ceremony in Kenya on Friday, marking a significant milestone for the organization and the local digital education landscape. The event saw 70 students successfully complete intensive training in key digital disciplines, including data science, software development, digital marketing, graphic design, and artificial intelligence (AI).
The ceremony symbolized more than just an educational achievement. It highlighted the growing need to bridge the digital skills gap in Kenya and across East Africa, as noted by Mellany Msengezi, GOMYCODE Kenya’s General Manager. “Since our inception in Kenya, we have impacted over 100 students, but globally we have trained more than 50,000 students through GOMYCODE. Hopefully, in Kenya and East Africa, we will have the same impact and contribution to the industry and the future jobs we are skilling our people for,” said Msengezi.
Bridging the Digital Skills Gap
The demand for skilled digital professionals continues to rise globally, with a projected need for 230 million digital jobs by 2030. GOMYCODE’s mission aligns closely with addressing this demand, focusing on providing affordable, localized, and high-quality tech education. The organization operates in multiple African countries, including Nigeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Algeria, Ivory Coast, and Senegal, with aspirations to replicate its global impact across East Africa.
“In Africa, education can be very expensive. For us, we are looking for quality, affordable, localized training; that is why we are coming in as GOMYCODE,” Msengezi added.
Courses offered at GOMYCODE range from three to six months, equipping students with hands-on, high-level skills to meet industry demands. The program emphasizes practical learning, requiring students to develop real-world solutions to societal challenges in fields such as health, e-commerce, chatbots, and fintech.
Innovating Through Practical Solutions
Graduates like Abigia Edessa showcased the program’s emphasis on innovation and relevance. Her project, “Flowebot,” is a chatbot system designed to assist florists and flower vendors by recommending suitable flowers for customers. “It’s a flower recommendation system that provides a list of recommendations and allows users to check out through a billing system,” Edessa explained.
Such projects are not only intellectually stimulating but also address real societal and market needs, preparing students for the competitive digital economy.
Connecting Graduates with Opportunities
Beyond training, GOMYCODE plays a pivotal role in connecting its graduates with the broader tech ecosystem. Through networking opportunities, students can interact with potential financiers and gain vital pitching skills to secure funding for their innovative ideas. This integrated approach ensures graduates are not only technically proficient but also business-savvy and ready to make their mark in the tech industry.
Transforming Africa’s Tech Education Landscape
GOMYCODE’s launch in Kenya underscores the growing recognition of digital skills as a critical component of economic development. By offering accessible and localized education, the center aims to position Kenya and East Africa as hubs of tech innovation.
The success of its first cohort signals the beginning of a transformative journey for many aspiring tech professionals in the region. With affordable and focused training programs, GOMYCODE seeks to unlock new opportunities for individuals and contribute significantly to the region’s digital economy.
As Africa increasingly embraces digital transformation, organizations like GOMYCODE are essential in shaping a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation and addressing pressing societal challenges. With its ambitious plans and proven track record, GOMYCODE is set to become a cornerstone in Africa’s tech education narrative.
