Experts Claim that Skill Shortages Hamper African Technology Developers

Skills shortages are holding back more Africans from building technology companies, many experts claim at the Mobile East Africa conference in Nairobi. In a panel discussion, Sarah Mudukuti, a telecommunications consultant, said she thinks that Africa has talent, but that other areas need development.

Mudukuti went on to say, “I think we still need to go back and review our curriculum, as most what is taught there does not reflect on the industry requirements.” Mudukuti, who is also a trained computer scientist, said that most of what she learnt in school had to be supplemented with extra reading in order to be updated with the industry standards.

Also speaking at the event was Robert Lamptey, chief executive, of Ghanaian startup Saya. Lamptey went on to says that a lot needs to be done, as most of the current innovators “know stuff but don’t know how to solve problems.” He also added, “Most developers know different development languages, but most of them still need a lot of training to enhance their problem-solving skills, which is a major requirement for the market.”

He went on to urge governments, lecturers and employers to ensure that schools and workplaces create an environment to allow innovators sharpen their problem-solving skills. Furthermore, Jonathan Endersby, head of special projects at Praekelt, said that a shortage of talent on the continent can be attributed to skilled developers being ‘sucked up by multinationals’.

Endersby also stated, “Qualified engineers are leaving the continent to go work for international companies, leaving very few or no qualified innovators to drive the development agenda.” He also urged the multinationals to open up their doors on the continent to teach developers more skills applicable in the tech field, rather than taking them to Silicon Valley and making them stay to work there.

Source: ITWeb Africa