The “Build with AI” program, a collaboration between Google and GOMYCODE, was launched today to foster a new generation of tech talent capable of building transformative products that are both locally relevant and globally competitive.

The initiative comes at a pivotal moment as industries across Nigeria and Africa increasingly look to technology to solve pressing challenges and drive economic growth.

By providing access to advanced AI tools like Gemini and a curriculum with oversight from Google’s experts, the program is set to bridge the gap between raw talent and the specialized skills required to innovate in the AI era.

This strategic focus is intended to accelerate the development of solutions in key sectors such as fintech, healthtech, and agritech, positioning Nigerian developers at the forefront of the continent’s digital transformation.

“We are witnessing a technological renaissance in Nigeria, driven by a vibrant community of developers who are eager to solve the challenges around them,” said John Kimani, head of Developer Ecosystem for Google in Sub-Saharan Africa. “Our collaboration with GOMYCODE is about more than just training; it’s about empowering this community with the tools and expertise they need to build the future. By equipping them with Google’s generative AI, we are helping to unlock a new frontier of innovation that can deliver significant economic and social impact across the continent.”

The 11-week program will be delivered through GOMYCODE’s extensive network of hackerspaces, combining in-person instruction with hands-on, mentored lab work.

This approach ensures that the training is both accessible and practical, allowing developers to immediately apply their learning to real-world projects.

Babatunde Olaifa, country director for GOMYCODE, commented,

“Our role is to provide the critical infrastructure and local expertise needed to nurture Nigeria’s tech talent. Partnering with Google allows us to bring world-class curriculum and technology directly to our developer community. We are creating an environment where innovation can thrive, and we are incredibly excited to see the solutions that will emerge from this program, built by Nigerians, for Nigeria and the world.”

The “Build with AI” program is now accepting applications from developers across Nigeria. The initiative will culminate in a demo day where top participants will showcase their AI-powered solutions to a team from Google and other industry leaders.

*Developers interested in being part of the AI revolution can apply by visiting bit.ly/BwAIDevTraining.

This collaboration aims to provide accessible, high-quality, globally recognized education to individuals seeking to advance their careers and expand their opportunities.

The Master’s program is designed to empower busy professionals and ambitious individuals with advanced skills and qualifications, opening doors to global job opportunities and facilitating potential emigration for those seeking international careers.

“We are thrilled to partner with Woolf University to bring this exceptional opportunity to Nigeria,” said Yahya Bouhlel, co-founder of GOMYCODE. “In today’s competitive tech landscape, advanced degrees are increasingly essential. This partnership allows us to provide a flexible, world-class education that empowers our students to achieve their career aspirations, whether they seek to excel locally or on a global stage.”

The program’s online, flexible structure caters to the demands of working professionals, enabling them to balance their studies with existing commitments. Students will benefit from Woolf University’s rigorous academic standards and GOMYCODE’s practical, industry-relevant approach to learning.

“Woolf University is excited to collaborate with GOMYCODE to expand access to quality higher education in Nigeria,” stated Naveen Jangir, head of Strategy and Growth, from Woolf University. “Our mission is to democratize education, and this partnership aligns perfectly with our goal of providing accessible, accredited degrees to learners worldwide. We believe this program will equip Nigerian tech professionals with the skills and credentials they need to thrive in the global economy.”

Babatunde Olaifa, country head of GOMYCODE in Nigeria, emphasized the significance of this partnership for the Nigerian tech ecosystem.

“This collaboration represents a significant leap forward for tech education in Nigeria. By offering a globally recognized Master’s degree, we are empowering our professionals to compete on a global scale. This is a chance for people to level up their careers, and to open doors that they previously thought were closed. We are very excited to see the impact that this program will have on the lives of our students and the broader Nigerian tech community.”

This Master of Science in Computer Science with Specialization in Software Engineering program is ideal for tech professionals seeking to enhance their qualifications; Individuals aiming for global job opportunities; those considering emigration and requiring advanced degrees; ambitious individuals looking to accelerate their career growth.

GOMYCODE and Woolf University are committed to providing a supportive and enriching learning environment that fosters innovation and excellence.

With a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.12% between 2025 and 2033, Africa’s EdTech market is predicted to go beyond $20 billion by 2030. 

Driven by over 400 million smartphone users and surging demand for mobile learning solutions, Nigeria and Africa at large are currently at the epicentre of this digital learning adaptation.

But behind this growth are innovators building and implementing solutions from ideas, tirelessly working to ensure everyone is included in the edtech disruption. 

These startups are joining the likes of AltSchool Africa, Edukoya and uLesson to bridge the gap in Africa’s educational sector, providing access to quality learning and helping learners of all ages and backgrounds to thrive.

The top 10 edtech startups to watch in 2025 include:

1. Teesas

Since its launch in 2021, Teesas has been ensuring affordable and accessible education. In 2024, it reached over 500,000 families through its app, making quality tutoring affordable. 

The company’s OmoTab 2S, an interactive device designed to make learning engaging for young students, made education even more desirable.

Teesas’ innovation lies in its comprehensive preparation tools for college entrance exams like WAEC and JAMB. In analysing 40 years of past exam questions and providing over 5,000 tutor-led video explanations, the company has enabled 97% of its users to score above 200, with 15 scoring above 300. It has also introduced offline learning solutions to tackle internet accessibility issues, ensuring inclusivity across Nigeria.

The company made waves with its participation in the federal 3MTT program, training over 1,000 students in cutting-edge fields like AI/ML, Cloud Computing, and Product Management. 

Partnerships with government bodies, like the visit from Communications Minister Dr. ’Bosun Tijani, and its collaboration with Adamawa State aimed at revitalizing public education affirmed Teesas’ place among the top edtech startups to watch in 2025.

With over one million learners globally and recognition for its hybrid learning models, Teesas is adequately blending technology, innovation, and inclusivity.

2. TechQuest Academy

TechQuest Academy’s mission to build a tech-savvy generation touched new points in 2024. Named one of Africa’s top 50 EdTech startups by HolonIQ, the company is building impactful initiatives. 

The TechQuest-Gener8tor Pre-Investment Accelerator Fellowship was an outstanding program built on a partnership focused on providing Nigerian startups with mentorship, growth strategies, and access to venture funding.

The Academy has also partnered with the likes of VMware and Huawei ensuring certified training in ICT infrastructure and cloud services for students to learn industry-relevant skills. Added to these, TechQuest launched MissionT, Nigeria’s first indigenous teaching app, which provides STEM and ICT content to secondary school teachers.

Noteworthy community events included a career fair connecting students with experts and the hosting of the Global Fashion Experience, blending technology and creativity to inspire innovation. The founder, Dr. Charles Emembolu, featured in EduTimes Africa, highlighting TechQuest’s first-of-its-kind initiatives like Nigeria’s first university-embedded incubator.

In bridging digital literacy gaps and promoting entrepreneurship, TechQuest is being watched to see how it drives Nigeria’s tech industry forward in 2025.

3. Tespire

Tespire, based in Northern Nigeria, is tackling inefficiencies in school administration with its innovative digital tools. Founded in 2022 by Abdulkadir Suleiman Lapai and Umar Madugu, the startup has simplified revenue collection and administrative processes for underserved schools, enabling them to retain more resources.

In 2024, Tespire began expanding its presence to Abuja’s tech space and announced the upcoming completion of its pre-seed fundraising round. The funds will drive its mission to digitize education, offering tools like internet-enabled tablets to improve school operations.

Tespire’s user-centric approach and focus on underserved regions make it a very important part of the quest for equitable education in Nigeria, placing it among the top 10 edtech startups to watch in 2025.

4. Klas

Founded in 2022 by Nathan Nwachuku and Lekan Adejumo, Klas is bolstering online education with its all-in-one platform that enables users to create and sell e-books, courses, and live classes. 

In 2024, Klas secured $1 million in pre-seed funding, led by Ingressive Capital, with contributions from Techstars, HoaQ, and angel investors. 

This funding is helping the company build educational systems for educators and learners across diverse subjects, including coding, finance, art, and languages.

Klas offers a closed ecosystem where all essential tools—scheduling, payments, community features, analytics, and video conferencing—are integrated seamlessly. 

Unlike competitors that rely on third-party solutions like Zoom, Klas developed its proprietary video platform, KlasLife, to enhance user experience. The platform now serves over 5,000 creators running online schools and 300,000 learners across more than 30 countries.

With a user-friendly design for beginners, Klas has been particularly successful in Nigeria, its primary market. However, its expansion into India and North America reveals that the company has even bigger plans to dominate globally. The startup is also planning enterprise solutions targeting large companies, ensuring its growth continues in 2025.

5. 9jacodekids 

Since its inception, 9jacodekids Academy has focused on training children aged 6 to 16 with skills in coding, robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI). With a mission anchored in technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship, 9jacodekids is changing how young minds approach problem-solving and creativity.

In 2024, the academy gained global attention when two of its students, Fathia Abdullahi and Tobiloba Owolola, were featured on BBC Africa for building robots that addressed everyday challenges. Fathia designed a robot that folds T-shirts, while Tobiloba created one that detects and removes obstacles. 

These achievements reveal the academy’s focus on project-based learning and its emphasis on real-world applications.

Parents have also recognised the academy’s impact, commending its ability to shift children’s interests from passive activities like watching cartoons to more constructive pursuits like coding. Through its design-thinking approach and hands-on teaching, 9jacodekids is building a new generation of tech-savvy innovators ready to tackle global challenges.

6. Edves

Among the top 10 edtech startups to watch in 2025, Edves is one leveraging cutting-edge tools to enhance learning and administration in K-12 schools. In 2024, the company partnered with the Enugu State Ministry of Education to launch the Smart & Green Schools Initiative, aiming to bridge the digital divide and improve education quality in the state.

This initiative involved constructing 260 smart schools and training teachers and students with tablets, ensuring access to modern educational resources. Edves also introduced AI-powered tools to personalise learning experiences and identify at-risk students, enabling targeted interventions to improve outcomes. These advancements align with the state government’s goal to allocate over 30% of its budget to education, a historic achievement in addressing funding and infrastructure gaps.

Beyond its work in Enugu, Edves continues to support schools across Africa by offering comprehensive SaaS solutions that integrate curriculum management, performance tracking, and administrative tasks. Its focus on digitising education and ensuring collaboration among educators has placed it among the top edtech startups to watch in 2025.

7. Semicolon Africa

Another top edtech startup to watch in 2025 is Semicolon Africa which continues to drive digital growth on the continent. In 2024, it made headlines with its collaboration with First Bank of Nigeria Limited, which expanded opportunities for trainees and boosted its influence in Africa’s tech sector. 

Semicolon’s focus on promoting inclusivity shone through its Women-In-Tech Initiative, which promotes the participation of women in Africa’s digital economy through mentorship and community-driven programs.

Another highlight was the December 2024 visit from California’s Transport Secretary, pointing to Semicolon’s prospects for global collaboration. This visit asserted its mission to make Africa a hub for digital innovation and also hinted at future partnerships with California, home to Silicon Valley. With a goal to train one million software engineers by 2030, we are watching to see Semicolon Africa’s impacts across the continent from the new year and beyond.

8. GOMYCODE

GOMYCODE was recognised in 2024 as one of TIME Magazine’s Top 250 EdTech Companies. This accolade shows its influence in enhancing tech education in Africa. 

One of its key achievements was its partnership with Doballi, a Dubai-based recruitment platform. This collaboration has created a seamless pathway for African tech talent to secure global job opportunities, addressing the lack of standardised training for tech professionals across the continent.

In Nigeria, GOMYCODE played a good role in the 3MTT Initiative, which aims to prepare the workforce for a tech-driven world. Again, the startup hosted career development events, such as the Data Analytics: Prospects and Opportunities talk, which empowered individuals with insights into high-demand tech fields. With over 40,000 individuals trained in 30 cities across Africa and the Middle East, GOMYCODE is accelerating Africa’s transition to a digital economy and also facilitating global economic growth by connecting enterprises with vetted African talent.

9. HyperionDev

HyperionDev, headquartered in South Africa, made great advancements in 2024, including raising R95 million ($5 million) to bolster its expansion efforts in South Africa, the UK, and new markets. Its partnerships with institutions like Stellenbosch University, Imperial College London, and the University of Manchester have further strengthened its global reputation.

The company’s impact lies in its mentored coding bootcamps, which provide learners with job-ready tech skills. By the end of 2024, HyperionDev had helped over 2,000 graduates secure roles at top-tier employers, such as Amazon, Barclays, and government entities like the NHS. Graduates experienced a 237% increase in earnings, showing the life-changing opportunities provided by the platform.

HyperionDev’s innovative business model includes university-branded bootcamps, which garnered over 6,000 student registrations in just three months. Positioned within the growing $117 billion online micro-credential market, HyperionDev is expanding its footprint in Europe, North America, and Africa. With a mission to bridge the global tech skills divide, it remains focused on its vision to make tech education accessible worldwide.

10. Transition School

Transition School has earned its place among the top EdTech startups to watch in 2025 due to its achievements and impact in 2024. Known for its commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education, Transition School continues to enable thousands of learners to transition into tech careers within three months through interactive, real-time online sessions led by experts.

In 2024, Transition School expanded its reach, surpassing 30,000 active learners from over 10 countries, supported by a network of 100+ expert instructors. These instructors delivered workshops across trending fields such as web development, no-code applications, UI/UX design, digital marketing, data analysis, and AI. Popular offerings included “Learn PowerBI Basics in 4 Hours” and “Introduction to Data Visualization with Python,” which blended foundational knowledge with practical applications, preparing learners to excel in data-driven roles.

Transition School also introduced free and accessible courses, such as “Master Digital Marketing Basics” by Paul Adewumi, and provided recorded sessions like “Technical Writing for Beginners” by Vladimir Izmalkov. These offerings broke down limitations to education, making it possible for learners from diverse backgrounds to acquire skills without financial obstacles.

The platform’s emphasis on project-based learning further enhanced its work. Workshops such as “Create Your First Chatbot Without Code” and “Build a Membership Site Using Webflow” provided students with hands-on experience and tangible portfolio projects. This practical approach helped learners stand out in the competitive tech industry.

In January 2025, Transition School announced a collaboration with LemFi, scheduled to launch very soon. The #CodeWithLemFi initiative aims to combine Transition School’s expertise with LemFi’s vision to change lives through tech education. This strategic partnership sets the ball rolling for what is expected to be a great year for the startup.