Adebayo Oke Lawal

Nigerian entrepreneur who pioneered global tech talent development through Andela, transforming Africa's role in the digital economy.

Adebayo Oke Lawal redefined African tech potential by founding Andela in 2014. This Lagos-based company identifies top-tier developers across Africa, providing rigorous training and connecting them to global tech firms like Google and Microsoft. His model challenges stereotypes, proving African talent can compete at elite levels. By 2020, Andela had placed over 1,500 engineers in remote roles, generating $400M+ in revenue for African economies.

Lawal's vision extends beyond profit. He structured Andela as a B-corporation, ensuring social impact metrics like skill retention and community reinvestment. His $100M Series D funding round in 2019 validated this approach, attracting investors like Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Critics debate scalability, but his partnership with governments (e.g., Kenya's 200-job expansion) shows sector-wide influence.

Lawal's advocacy for pan-African tech ecosystems inspired imitators like Kenya's Andela-inspired Moringa School. His TED Talk "How Africa will lead the next technology revolution" (2018) further cemented his thought leadership. Despite controversies over equity splits, his impact on tech diaspora retention remains unparalleled.