Nadia Sajid

Pioneering Ugandan tech entrepreneur who built East Africa's largest digital talent platform

Nadia Sajid (born 1986) is a Ugandan technology entrepreneur and social innovator renowned for founding Andela, a company that trains and connects top African software developers with global tech companies. Established in 2014, Andela has become the leading talent pipeline for Africa's growing tech sector, having trained over 2,000 developers across 12 countries. Sajid's vision to transform Africa into a global tech powerhouse began with her observation of the continent's untapped potential in technology while studying computer science at MIT. She partnered with Harvard graduate Jeremy Johnson to launch Andela, which has raised over $170 million in funding from investors like Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and Generation Investment Management.

What makes Sajid truly distinctive is her approach to solving the 'brain drain' problem by creating pathways for African talent to thrive locally. Through Andela's model of distributed teams, developers earn global salaries while remaining in their home countries, fostering economic growth and tech ecosystems. The company's impact extends beyond economics: 40% of Andela's developers are women in a male-dominated field, challenging gender stereotypes in African tech sectors. Sajid's leadership was pivotal in securing $100 million Series C funding in 2017, propelling the company's expansion into Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda.

In 2019, Sajid launched the Andela Fellowship Program, offering free training to 10,000 aspiring developers across Africa. This initiative aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), creating opportunities in regions where youth unemployment exceeds 60%. Her work has been featured in Forbes and TechCrunch, and she was named one of Africa's Top 100 Women Innovators in 2020. Sajid currently serves as Andela's Chief Product Officer, overseeing expansion into emerging markets like Rwanda and Senegal. Her innovative model has inspired similar initiatives across the continent, proving technology can be a catalyst for inclusive economic development.