In a celebration of innovation, grit, and ambition, ALX officially launched its 2025 Ventures Incubator Cohort, an elite group of startup founders handpicked from across the country, while simultaneously premiering the grand finale of the pan-African “Do Hard Things Challenge” at its Lagos hub.

From tech founders solving community challenges to creatives turning ideas into global solutions, ALX is backing the bold and building the infrastructure to help them scale.

The ALX Ventures Incubator is the next big leap for graduates of the Founder Academy, providing them with hands-on mentorship, investor access, and the resources to grow sustainable businesses that shape the future of the continent.

“The launch of the ALX Ventures Incubator is proof of our unwavering commitment to building the infrastructure for African innovation to thrive,” said Ruby Igwe, country general manager at ALX Nigeria. “We witnessed incredible potential at our Founder Academy, and this next step ensures that these promising startups receive the support they need to grow into high-impact ventures. It’s about translating potential into lasting impact.”

These new ventures are powered by the same spirit that drove the Do Hard Things Challenge—a bold initiative that saw ALX travel to eight African cities in search of the continent’s most inspiring entrepreneurs.

The final stop? Mauritius, where top finalists pitched in a high-stakes finale, now screened live for the Lagos tech and media community.

The challenge took ALX across Lagos, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Kigali, Accra, Cairo, Casablanca, and Addis Ababa, shining a spotlight on resilience, creativity, and unstoppable drive.

“The ‘Do Hard Things Challenge’ embodies the spirit we cultivate at ALX: resilience, ambition, and the courage to tackle complex problems,” said Joshua Ebinabo, ALX Ventures country entrepreneurship development manager. “Showcasing the finale from Mauritius here in Lagos connects our local innovators to the broader African story. It inspires our learners, reassures parents about the future of tech, and shows business leaders the investment-ready talent right here in our ecosystem.”

The event brought together founders, business leaders, creators, and media influencers—all gathered to witness what happens when African talent is seen, celebrated, and supported.

The energy was electric, the vision was bold, and the mission was clear: empower Africa’s brightest minds to build global solutions from right here on the continent.

Whether you’re a startup founder looking to scale or a dreamer looking for your big break, ALX continues to be the launchpad for Africa’s digital and entrepreneurial revolution.

Present physically in 8 markets, including Nigeria, the country team’s performance this 2024 has brought a fresh example to the concept ‘Naija no dey carry last.’

As seen in its ‘brag sheet’ below, ALX Nigeria received nearly half a million applications. It transformed the careers of over 76,000 youths across Nigeria, providing them with in-demand skills in Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Data Science, Front and back-end development, Virtual Assistance, and so many more!

At the heart of ALX Nigeria’s success is its extensive network of over 30 public and private collaborators, including key stakeholders like the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Wema Bank, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), 9mobile, and many more.

All these successes were evident in the ten awards received in one calendar year.

Ruby Igwe, country general manager for ALX in Nigeria, spoke about last year’s highlights:

“We are deeply proud of the milestones we reached in 2024 and want to do exponentially more in 2025, with more collaborators. 76,000 is a huge number, but we are going into the millions.”

Women in Tech to Watch in 2025

To get a taste of the ALX Nigeria magic, why not join them online on Friday, 17th January, to “Create your Vision Board” or the day after on Saturday, 18th, to get an “Introduction to AI”?.

To learn more about how you can participate in these upcoming events, train your staff, donate, or just know more about ALX programmes, visit the website here.

Ruby Igwe, country general manager for ALX Nigeria, attended the Akwa Ibom Tech Expo, where she participated in a panel session discussing the topic ‘Leveraging Innovation for Inclusive Growth’. She emphasised the critical role of building an inclusive community encouraging freedom and innovation through tech skills empowerment.

“ALX is an organisation focused on development, providing opportunities for the millions of African and Nigerian youths that make up our community. We recognise the uniqueness of each member of our community and encourage them to be themselves.” Ruby stated. “When we think about innovation we encourage our community members to come from a problem-solving approach. Focusing on the problem and interrogating it with the right data will only lead to coming up with the right solution.”

Nkechi Belinda Idinmachi, fellowship specialist at ALX Nigeria, spoke at the event and highlighted the global talent shortage driven by widespread digital transformation across organizations.

“There is a massive shortage of talent globally with a projected spike of 83 million by 2023. ALX is on a mission to create more opportunities for young Africans, and to date, we have trained over 200,000 young people across Africa. We have mastered training at scale with our infrastructure,” she stated.

Following the Akwa Ibom Tech Week, ALX also had a notable presence at the Ogun Digital Summit, which brought together innovators, industry leaders, and tech enthusiasts from across the country. At both events, participants had the opportunity to engage with the award-winning tech career accelerator and learn about the world-class offerings available within the ALX ecosystem.

From state-of-the-art tech hubs to a vibrant community, and world-class tech programmes, ALX continues to reaffirm its commitment to nurturing the next generation of African leaders. Visit alxafrica.ng to find out more about ALX programmes.

These milestones show ALX’s commitment to youths nationwide through cutting-edge tech and career development programmes.

From January to June of 2024, ALX Nigeria received an unprecedented 233,310 applications, reflecting the growing demand for quality tech learning and career advancement opportunities in Nigeria. Applicants trust ALX Nigeria’s programmes and the impact of its mission to democratise access to world-class tech learning.

Also during this six month period, over an estimate of 12,000 learners across the states in Nigeria completed ALX Nigeria’s programs; equipping them with the tech skills and knowledge needed to thrive in today’s competitive job market.

In recognition of its exceptional contributions to tech learning, ALX Nigeria received the Edtech Company of the Year award from the prestigious GAGE Awards.

ALX Nigeria also emerged winner of the Tech Unite Africa Award for Excellence, given by Tech Unite Africa as the Online Learning Platform of the Year.

ALX Nigeria was also recently recognized at the Titans of Tech Awards as the Most Innovative EdTech Company of the Year, making the fourth award in nine months.

Ruby Igwe, general manager, Sand Technologies and ALX Nigeria stated,

“As we celebrate these remarkable milestones, ALX remains steadfast in its commitment to innovation, excellence, and inclusivity. We are poised to continue the growth trajectory, expanding our reach and impact in the coming months. With our focus on emerging technologies, industry partnerships, and learner-centric approaches, we do not doubt that we are well-positioned to shape the future of tech and workforce development across Nigeria.”

Seun Babajide-Duroshola further emphasized,

“We are incredibly proud of our achievements over the past six months. We are committed to continuing our mission of providing world-class tech and career programs and empowering individuals to achieve their dreams. We also have a strong emphasis on inclusion, community engagement and social responsibility through partnerships with different NGOs, schools, universities and community groups to provide resources and support to underserved populations.”

This prestigious accolade highlights ALX’s commitment to advancing technology learning and innovation in Africa.

The award was presented during the Titans of Tech Awards ceremony, following a Tech Conference and Expo, where ALX actively engaged with participants to highlight its innovative programs.

The event brought together leaders and stakeholders from various sectors, celebrating the achievements and innovations shaping the future of technology on the continent.

The Titans of Tech Awards, also known as Nigeria’s Tech Industry Grammy, recognises the high-tech industry’s most prominent movers and shakers, including pioneers and innovators.

Seun Babajide-Duroshola, country marketing manager for ALX Nigeria expressed the company’s gratitude, stating,

“We are deeply honoured to receive this award. It demonstrates our team’s hard work and dedication to contributing to innovation in the tech industry over the years. We thank the organisers for recognising our efforts and providing us with a platform to continue inspiring and equipping young Africans with the skills they need to succeed.”

Seun Babajide-Duroshola, emphasised ALX’s ongoing mission, saying,

“ALX remains committed to providing millions of young Africans with opportunities to develop their personal and professional lives through quality and industry-standard tech programs. This recognition reinforces our resolve to continue creating impactful learning experiences and supporting the growth of the tech ecosystem across Africa.”

According to organisers of the Titans of Tech Global Awards, ALX Africa’s commitment to empowering tomorrow’s leaders through access to advanced digital skills that are critical to future employability and entrepreneurship is truly commendable.

Don Pedro Aganbi, Convener, TOTA 2024 cited that “ALX has consistently extended its reach across the continent in furtherance of this goal.

The company is happy to partner with others in this quest. The recent half a million dollars collaboration with Patoranking Foundation to empower tomorrow’s tech disruptors and innovative community leaders with the most in-demand hard and soft skills to solve the problems of the continent and beyond is a humongous step in the right direction.”

With a community of over 200,000 members across Nigeria, ALX is a hub for the development of tech talent, providing world-class learning opportunities with programmes such as the Artificial Intelligence Career Essentials (AICE), Virtual Assistant Programme, ALX Founders Academy, Data Analytics, Data Science, AWS Cloud Computing, Software Development and many more offerings.

As ALX continues to expand its reach and impact, the organisation remains dedicated to its vision of empowering the next generation of African leaders and innovators.

The Titans of Tech award for the Most Innovative EdTech Company marks a significant milestone in ALX’s journey, reflecting its unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation in the EdTech sector.

This event brought together tech enthusiasts, industry professionals, and key stakeholders to explore the transformative potential of technology in shaping Africa’s future.

The summit featured insightful discussions on how technology can drive economic growth, create job opportunities, and empower the next generation of African leaders.

Ruby Igwe, the country manager of ALX Nigeria, delivered a compelling keynote address that highlighted the role of tech-driven entrepreneurship in ensuring employability and economic growth (SDG 8).

“The YALI Network Tech Summit has been a remarkable success, showcasing the vibrant potential and innovative spirit of Africa’s tech community,” Ruby remarked. “At ALX, we are committed to nurturing this talent and providing the necessary tools and resources to help Africa’s youth thrive in the digital economy. We are excited to be part of this journey and look forward to supporting future editions of this impactful event.”

In addition to the keynote address, Adebimpe Odulana, the Partnerships Lead at ALX Nigeria, participated in a dynamic panel session focused on how strategic partnerships can expand job opportunities across the continent.

The session provided valuable insights into creating sustainable employment solutions through collaboration between educational institutions, tech companies, and government agencies.

The YALI Network Tech Summit provided a platform for attendees to engage in meaningful dialogue, network with industry leaders, and gain practical knowledge about the latest technological trends and innovations.

ALX’s involvement shows its dedication to fostering a robust tech ecosystem in Africa and driving inclusive growth through technology.

With the introduction of its Virtual Assistant, Al Career Essentials and Professional Foundations programmes which require no admin fee, it continues to champion tech education and innovation and remains steadfast in its mission to empower Africa’s future leaders.

The positive reception of their contributions at the YALI Network Tech Summit reaffirms ALX’s role as a key player in the tech industry and its commitment to supporting initiatives that propel Africa towards a prosperous future.

ALX Nigeria is part of a global organisation, ALX Africa, which is also present in South Africa, Rwanda, Kenya, Morocco, Ghana, Egypt, Ethiopia, and other African countries and is actively building the #ALX9jaCommunity.

With successful events hosted at Babcock University, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Landmark University, and LAUTECH, with a final stop at Ibadan Polytechnic, ALX is setting the stage for a new era of engagement and intellectual discourse among students as well as inspiring them to take tech seriously.

As part of its mission to revolutionise learning and empower the next generation of leaders, ALX provides students with a transformative opportunity to connect with innovative tech courses and reach their full potential.

Seun Babajide-Duroshola, ALX Nigeria, country marketing manager, stated,

“We are strategically doing this to engage students through thought-provoking conversations, and this is happening across various universities. We want to inspire and push them to take charge of their life, and careers, and go all out on a tech-driven lifelong learning journey. Just imagine how powerful it will be for university graduates equipped with tech skills by the time they complete their degree.”

One of the highlights of ALX’s campus tour was the Inter-School Debate, where six universities—Thomas Adewumi University, Landmark University, Redeemers University, Afe Babalola University, University of Ilorin, and Obafemi Awolowo University—competed head-to-head in a battle of intellect and eloquence.

The event highlighted the intellectual prowess of the participating students and fostered friendly and healthy competition among universities.

After rounds of intense deliberation and passionate arguments, Alex Olafisoye, a 500-level student at the University of Ilorin, emerged victorious in the Inter-School Debate.

His team’s dedication, intellect, and rhetorical finesse captivated the audience and demonstrated the remarkable talent nurtured within university campuses.

This victory earned his team a coveted cash prize and a brand-new laptop and provided Alex with a unique platform to network and share his ideas.

Alex Olasfisoye, the winner of the competition, expressed his joy as he stated,

“This was a unique opportunity for me to network and talk about ideas that I have in mind for a while, and I’m grateful to ALX for providing a platform like this for me to unleash my skill.”

Regarding the Inter-School Debate Competition, Babajide-Duroshola expressed profound enthusiasm and gratitude, stating,

“We are excited to witness the incredible response from students across universities. The energy and passion displayed during the Inter-School Debate competition were truly inspiring. It reaffirms our belief in the power of tech learning to transform lives and shape the future.”

Events like these not only foster academic excellence but also nurture leadership qualities and teamwork skills essential for success in the modern world,” she added.

With its unwavering commitment, ALX Nigeria remains at the forefront of equipping the next generation with the necessary knowledge and skills to thrive in the digital sector.

It does so by providing a diverse range of tech programmes and offerings designed to meet the evolving needs of the industry.

It is a fact that the doors of many initiatives and opportunities are closed to women precisely because they are such.

Today, rising above these limitations and getting another woman to hold your hand has become the goal of many women in technology.

There is a need to give strength to those who are still halfway, bring together women capable of changing courses, and transform their environment by focusing on each other.

Women offer diverse viewpoints that can create groundbreaking solutions in the tech context. As such, an inclusive ecosystem can birth and enable the creation of solutions that address real-time challenges.

The more a country transforms into an innovation-led economy, the more critical role a woman’s talent plays in the transformation process. So, women’s participation in tech enables a nation to position itself as a potential global player and highly competitive in innovation-led ventures.

Ruby Igwe, the country manager at ALX Nigeria, speaking on the subject at a Women In Tech event emphasized the importance of collaboration among women and addressing challenges.

Igwe highlighted the importance of attracting women to tech courses and ensuring they complete them to advance their careers. She identified common challenges faced by women, including financial constraints, childcare responsibilities, geographic limitations, marital commitments, and personal setbacks.

“If we are talking about bringing more women to the table we must understand the different pain points and nuances that shape women’s participation in tech development. We have situations where women enrol for a tech programme and never finish because of different family challenges. What we do at ALX is to provide support systems that will allow for equality.”

Igwe also urged experienced women to mentor younger women to boost their confidence and provide guidance.

“The biggest challenge is the mental limitations that most women put on themselves. They must seek support system from other women and even men instead of competing against one another and hampering their chances of securing more opportunities in nuanced positions.

“Mentorship among women should be intentional. It is an investment requiring strong female leaders’ personal decisions to reach out to young mentees within the tech industry,” Igwe said.

The tech ecosystem is the interrelated network of various players. Thus, the Women in Tech project echoes that no one should be left behind in the ecosystem, even if no one is seen as physically left behind.

There are so many ecosystem gains of promoting equal opportunities that include but are not limited to, the fact that Nigeria will achieve an increase in the number of ICT innovators.

Addressing the issue, Solape Akinpelu, the CEO of HerVest, and country director Women in Tech Nigeria, said:

“The goal of this event is for women to share experiences, expectations, and visions that will spark trans-generational impact within the tech ecosystem.”

She noted that there has been an influx of talented women into the tech industry and praised the growth of women’s inclusion over the years.

She highlighted the activities of Women in Tech Nigeria stating that over 2000 women have been empowered with tech skills since its inception in 2021.

Regarding technology, it is common to see only men in the sector. However, it is expected that the collective intelligence of both men and women in tech will increase, a large pool of talent will be maximally tapped into, and the tech community will attract the best talents.

The award, presented by Tech Unite Africa for Tech Innovation Recognition and Awards (TIRA), recognises ALX’s groundbreaking contributions to the tech industry through its innovative platform structure.

ALX Africa has long been at the forefront of revolutionising online learning, offering a dynamic and interactive platform that empowers individuals across Africa to acquire new skills, access cutting-edge resources, and unlock their full potential in the digital age.

With a focus on fostering creativity, innovation, and life-long learning, ALX’s platform provides learners with personalised learning experiences tailored to their unique needs and interests.

“We are incredibly honoured to receive the Tech Unite Africa Award for Excellence in Online Learning Platform of the Year,” said Ruby Igwe, general manager, ALX Nigeria. “This recognition reflects our team’s hard work and dedication to building a platform that not only educates but also inspires and empowers individuals to thrive in the tech industry and beyond.”

Igwe further stated, “ALX Africa’s learning platform offers a wide range of programmes designed to equip learners with the tech skills and knowledge needed to succeed in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. Our transformative programmes are designed to equip young people with the tech knowledge they need to succeed. From AI Career Essentials (AiCE) to AWS Cloud Computing, Salesforce Administrator, Data Analytics, and Front-end and Back-end Web Development, we have a wide range of offerings to suit their interests and aspirations.”

The Tech Unite Africa Award for Excellence in Online Learning Platform of the Year shows ALX Africa’s commitment to excellence and innovation in the tech industry.

With this prestigious accolade, ALX reaffirms its position as a leading force in tech learning and a catalyst for positive change in Africa and beyond.

The event served as a platform for female entrepreneurs to showcase their business ideas and vie for the chance to win a business grant provided by telecoms giant, 9mobile.

Additionally, ALX announced the relaunch of its Tech Startup academy, ALX Ventures which includes a Founder’s Academy, an accelerator, and a fund.

The celebration, which was held on March 2nd at the ALX Costain hub, Lagos, brought together a diverse group of aspiring female entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and supporters of women in tech.

Attendees were treated to a series of inspiring pitches from female entrepreneurs, each highlighting their innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit.

One of the highlights of the event was the announcement of the business grant winners. Chisom Ukachukwu, ALX Salesforce Learner and winner of the ALX & 9mobile Pitch Your Business competition took home the grand prize of five hundred thousand Naira, Adediran Irebamiji, from ALX Founders Academy won three hundred thousand naira as the 1st runner up, while Winifred Nnamdi, ALX Data Science Learner, won a hundred thousand naira, as 2nd runner-up.

Thanks to the collaboration between ALX and 9mobile, several other deserving female entrepreneurs received funding to further develop and scale their ventures, empowering them to make a lasting impact in their communities and beyond.

In addition to recognising the achievements of female entrepreneurs, the event also marked the relaunch of ALX Ventures, the tech startup academy arm of ALX.

This initiative aims to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with the necessary skills, resources, and support to turn their tech-based ideas into successful businesses.

Speaking about the event, Ruby Igwe, country general manager of ALX, emphasized the importance of supporting women in tech and fostering a culture of collaboration and empowerment.

“At ALX, we believe in the power of female entrepreneurship to drive innovation and change. Events like these not only celebrate the successes of women in tech but also serve as a reminder of the importance of supporting one another on our journey toward success. We are thrilled to see the incredible talent and potential showcased today and look forward to continuing to empower and uplift women in the tech industry,” Igwe emphasized.

As the world commemorates International Women’s Day, ALX remains committed to championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the tech ecosystem, paving the way for a more inclusive and prosperous future for all.