Adebayo Okeowo

Nigerian entrepreneur who revolutionized global tech talent development through Andela

Adebayo Okeowo is a visionary Nigerian entrepreneur and founder of Andela, a company that has fundamentally transformed how tech talent is cultivated and deployed globally. Established in 2014 but scaling exponentially post-2020, Andela identifies top software developers in Africa, trains them rigorously, and connects them with global tech companies. This model not only addresses the global tech talent shortage but also creates economic opportunities for African youth. By 2023, Andela had trained over 10,000 developers and partnered with companies like Microsoft and Google.

Okeowo’s approach prioritizes inclusivity, ensuring 40% of Andela’s developers are women in a male-dominated field. His work has sparked debates on equitable talent distribution and challenged Silicon Valley’s traditional recruitment paradigms. In 2021, he launched Tech4Africa, a nonprofit expanding digital education across rural regions. His TED Talk “The Future of Work is African” has over 2 million views, inspiring global audiences.

Critics argue Andela’s focus on export-driven talent risks brain drain, but Okeowo counters by emphasizing skill transfer and reinvestment in local ecosystems. By 2025, Andela had established developer hubs in Lagos, Nairobi, and Nairobi, fostering tech ecosystems that host startups like Flutterwave and Interswitch. Okeowo’s legacy lies in proving that Africa isn’t just a market—it’s a powerhouse of innovation waiting to be unlocked.