The Cloud Native Computing Foundation® (CNCF®) and Andela have announced a groundbreaking partnership to train between 20,000 and 30,000 African technologists in cloud-native technologies. The collaboration aims to address the growing demand for skilled professionals in Kubernetes and cloud-native development while equipping African developers with globally recognized certifications, positioning them for remote and international job opportunities.
The initiative, supported by Linux Foundation Education, will unfold over two to three years and provide free training to participants. The program focuses on foundational and advanced certifications, including the Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate (KCNA) and the Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD). These certifications are globally recognized benchmarks for knowledge and skills in cloud-native software, ensuring participants can design, build, and manage Kubernetes applications.
Bridging the Global Talent Gap
Chris Aniszczyk, CTO of CNCF, highlighted the global significance of the program:
“This partnership showcases the global impact of CNCF’s education programs. By standardizing cloud native knowledge, developers across the globe can confidently work toward certifications that will enable them to land developer positions both within their own countries and globally.”
The partnership with Andela, which has a long history of training African technologists, aligns with CNCF’s goal of providing opportunities to communities that might otherwise lack access. This collaboration aims to create a win-win scenario: helping organizations find skilled workers and enabling developers to access high-demand jobs in the global tech ecosystem.
Addressing Africa’s Growing Developer Market
According to Google’s Africa Developer Ecosystem Report 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated demand for remote tech talent worldwide, creating opportunities for African developers. Currently, 38% of African software developers work for companies outside the continent.
Carrol Chang, CEO of Andela, emphasized Africa’s importance in the global tech landscape:
“The continent is emerging as one of the most important markets in the world. It has the fastest-growing population of developers, and its young workforce will be key to solving the tech talent shortage. Organizations are looking for talent with advanced skill sets like AI and cloud-native, and this particular skill set is a perfect addition to the Andela marketplace.”
Andela’s talent marketplace spans 49 African countries, including Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana. It includes 150,000 technology professionals globally, many of whom are already working with leading companies like Google, Meta, Microsoft, AWS, and Nvidia. This partnership aims to strengthen Andela’s marketplace by providing additional certifications that enhance participants’ job prospects.
Training Process and Certifications
Participants will undergo six to nine months of rigorous training to achieve the KCNA and CKAD certifications. These certifications will demonstrate their ability to work in the cloud-native ecosystem, from foundational knowledge to designing and building advanced Kubernetes applications.
Participants will be selected from Andela’s talent marketplace, which fosters an active community of developers and provides them access to training in high-demand technologies.
Meeting the Demand for Cloud-Native Developers
The need for cloud-native developers is rising, with CNCF reporting that 55% of developers who completed its certification programs secured new jobs. Moreover, 67% of certified professionals felt more engaged and fulfilled in their work. However, high costs have historically been a barrier, with 81% of developers citing financial constraints as the main obstacle to obtaining certifications.
By offering this training for free, the CNCF-Andela partnership addresses this significant barrier, opening doors for underrepresented groups to access the global tech economy.
Clyde Seepersad, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Linux Foundation Education, underscored the importance of this partnership:
“As a non-profit focused on growing open source and cultivating the IT talent needed to sustain it, partnerships – like this one with Andela – help us train and certify underrepresented groups, which is crucial to both our long-term success and amplify our impact.”
Shaping the Future of Work
As the global workforce becomes increasingly borderless, this partnership positions African developers as key players in solving the global tech talent shortage. By equipping them with certifications in cloud-native technologies, the initiative not only meets the immediate demand for skilled professionals but also lays the foundation for sustainable careers in high-demand tech sectors like AI and cloud-native development.
The program is set to launch in 2025, marking a significant milestone in bridging the gap between African talent and global opportunities. As organizations worldwide continue to seek advanced skills, African developers are poised to play a transformative role in the global tech landscape.
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