The Safaricom Talent Cloud is a first-of-its-kind platform designed to empower the next generation of tech professionals, entrepreneurs and digital leaders across Ethiopia.

Safaricom, in collaboration with Gebeya, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Ethiopian Ministry of Innovation and Technology, launched the innovative platform in support of the country’s Digital 2025 strategy to address tech talent shortages, which are hindering the development of the IT industry.

By the end of 2024, the Safaricom Talent Cloud aims to provide comprehensive capacity-building opportunities and career development pathways to 10 000 Ethiopian talents.

Thriving in the 21st century

“This collaboration signifies a shared commitment to empower our nation’s youth with the advanced digital skills necessary to thrive in the 21st-century economy,” says Dr Belete Molla, Ethiopia’s Minister of Innovation and Technology. 

Masahiro Miyashita, Chief Strategy Officer of Safaricom Ethiopia, says the Safaricom Talent Cloud represents Safaricom’s mission of “Transforming Ethiopian Lives for a Digital Future”. 

“By democratising access to the capabilities of the future, we are laying the foundation for a new generation of innovators who will propel this country’s socio-economic and digital transformation,” Masahiro says. “We are building a community of skilled professionals ready to lead industries across the country, from telecom to financing to beyond.” 

Talent development engine

The Safaricom Talent Cloud provides guided mastery of in-demand skills, career pathways and connectivity to opportunities with Safaricom’s expansive network of partners.

The new platform will consist of 38 expert-developed courses covering five key domains – software development, infrastructure, AI and data, security, and project management – among others. In addition, students will have access to courses from Pluralsight, a global industry leader in online tech education. The solution will provide curated learning paths, from the latest programming languages to cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity practices, machine learning, and more.

Safaricom.gebeya.com offers a comprehensive suite of services, leveraging the expertise of Gebeya, which is renowned for its experience in delivering Talent Cloud solutions. This is not the first time that Safaricom, Gebeya and JICA have collaborated. In April 2024, 50 graduates successfully completed a six-month intensive software development training programme that covered mobile, back-end and DevOps engineering specialisations, as well as junior back-end development, through the Safaricom Academy. 

Special support for marginalised groups

JICA has also committed funding to subsidise enrolment costs for marginalised groups in Ethiopia, as investing in human capital development is essential for catalysing the country’s digital transformation journey.

In this way, the Safaricom Talent Cloud equips Ethiopian talent with the tools to address local challenges while actively shaping the Fourth Industrial Revolution from Addis Ababa.

Future-proofing the next generation

The Safaricom Talent Cloud aims to future-proof Ethiopia’s next generation by equipping them with skills in AI, data science and cybersecurity – technologies that will shape the future. The initial training programme launched by Gebeya and Safaricom last year saw overwhelming demand, with thousands of applicants, prompting the decision to expand its availability.

“We’re minting a new breed of innovators and problem solvers who will grab these powerful technologies and run with them to unleash human potential and drive real progress across the continent.”

Amadou Daffe, co-founder and CEO of Gebeya

Entering what Gebeya refers to as the “Age of the Talent Cloud”, the initiative is not just about nurturing talent but also about fostering a mindset shift towards seizing opportunities.

Expert coaching to elevate skills

Joining the Talent Cloud also brings the advantage of engaging in group coaching sessions led by certified industry experts, enjoying exclusive benefits from Safaricom, and the opportunity to compete for a spot in specialised bootcamps to rapidly elevate skills and professional acumen.

In addition, Talent Cloud members receive perks from Safaricom such as 6GB of data monthly to facilitate cost-effective learning. A key enabler is the platform’s annual $99 subscription fee, payable in Ethiopian birr.

To make the platform as inclusive and accessible as possible throughout Ethiopia, partnerships have been developed with leading universities throughout the country’s regional states.