More than 800 young Kenyans Apply for 50 ESTDEV Funded Coding School

NAIROBI, Kenya (XOL Africa) — More than 800 young Kenyans have applied for places at an Estonian programming school that is launching its first in-person program outside Europe in Nairobi, reflecting growing demand for digital skills as Kenya’s technology sector expands.

With support from the Estonian Centre for International Development, or ESTDEV, the Estonian programming school //kood will begin its Nairobi program this September. The first cohort will include 50 learners whose places are funded by ESTDEV.

Of the more than 800 applicants, 80 have been selected to take part in this week’s Selection Sprint, an intensive admissions process. Those who successfully complete the sprint will join the 12-month kood/Nairobi program.

The initiative is designed to help build the skilled information and communications technology workforce needed by Kenya’s rapidly growing digital economy.

“For Estonia, supporting digital skills development in Kenya is an opportunity to share our experience in building a digital society and modern education system while creating long-term partnerships with Kenya’s fast-growing technology sector,” said Katrin Winter, ESTDEV’s head of partnerships.

“Estonia’s development cooperation is not only about transferring knowledge. It is about building partnerships where our experience helps address local challenges while creating new opportunities for collaboration,” Winter said.

Kenya is one of East Africa’s leading technology hubs, Winter said, with demand for digital services and qualified ICT professionals growing rapidly.

“By supporting the development of local talent, Estonia contributes to building a stronger and more sustainable digital economy while laying the foundation for new partnerships between Estonian and Kenyan businesses, educational institutions and innovation communities,” she said.

Digital skills development is a national priority in Kenya. The country’s Vision 2030 Development Strategy and National Digital Master Plan 2022–2032 both identify strengthening digital skills and the local ICT sector as key objectives.

Interest in kood/Nairobi has come from across Kenya and from applicants with varied professional backgrounds, including teachers, health care professionals, agricultural specialists, entrepreneurs and artists. Nearly 40% of applicants have no previous programming experience.

“Estonia’s own development story shows that digital transformation begins with people. That is why we invest in skills and opportunities,” said Olga Bogdanova, ESTDEV’s regional adviser for Africa. “kood/Nairobi equips young people with the knowledge they need to succeed in a growing digital economy while empowering them to create new jobs and businesses.”

The Nairobi program is run by //kood, which was founded in Jõhvi, Estonia, in 2021. Its graduates now work at more than 150 technology companies. The Nairobi campus is the school’s first educational program outside Europe.

“After a successful pilot project, where Kenyan learners studied online alongside Estonian students, expanding to Nairobi was the natural next step,” said Mari-Liis Kitter, co-founder of //kood. “The diversity of applicants confirms that you do not need an IT background to enter the technology sector. What matters most is motivation and a willingness to learn.”

Kenya has a large young population interested in technology careers, but access to the skills needed to enter the sector remains uneven, Kitter said.

“The strength of the //kood model lies in the fact that it is open to people from all backgrounds,” she said.

The program is being delivered in partnership with Kenyatta University and follows //kood’s peer-learning model. Rather than traditional lectures or teacher-led classes, students work on practical projects, solve real-world problems and provide feedback to one another.

Over 12 months, participants will develop the technical and practical skills needed for careers as software, product or artificial intelligence engineers. The program also emphasizes problem-solving, teamwork and independent learning.

ESTDEV is funding the Nairobi initiative through its Africa Call for Proposals. This year’s funding for kood/Nairobi totals 80,000 euros.

The Estonian Centre for International Development is a government foundation that manages and implements Estonia’s international development cooperation and humanitarian aid projects.