This gathering brought together over 150 participants in Lagos and was specifically designed for individuals interested in the tech industry, especially those new to the field.

Students, enthusiasts, career changers, and the simply curious found a welcoming space to learn and connect.

The meetup aimed to bridge the gap between innovation and opportunity, serving as a platform for practical and innovative discussions.

Key areas of focus included Tech Skills Development, which involved equipping students and tech enthusiasts with the in-demand skills necessary to thrive in the digital job market.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation were also central themes, providing aspiring techies a platform to connect with mentors, investors, and collaborators to transform their ideas into reality.

ATC Africa believes in ensuring equitable access to digital technologies and resources for all, thereby fostering an inclusive digital future.

The event also offered Industry Insights and Inspiration, with attendees hearing from successful tech leaders and founders about their journeys and the ever-evolving digital landscape.

The impressive roster of speakers for the event included Cynthia E. Chimsom, Abiodun Onijesu, Trust Jamin, Demilade Oni, Ayo Ayodeji, Makinde Joseph, and ATC Africa’s Co-Founder, Tope James Moses. They collectively explored the powerful role community plays in driving change, particularly within the startup ecosystem.

This event is Proudly Sponsored by SkyGrid, A company that focus on specialize in cloud and software solutions, particularly focusing on helping businesses migrate to cloud-based systems and modernize their existing infrastructure and Cleva with official Partner, NITHUB UNilag, a Tech Innovation hub focused on Talent Upskilling, Product Development, Startup Incubation, and Acceleration

They provide a dynamic platform that brings together Tech talents, entrepreneurs, industries, and investors to collaborate, innovate and create, driving technological advancements and enhancing the nation’s digital economy.

Designed to nurture the brightest minds on the continent, this transformative program aims to equip recent graduates with practical tech skills and invaluable real-world experience, addressing the persistent challenges in tech talent sourcing across Africa.

Targeting graduates from technology, computer science, engineering, and related fields with foundational programming knowledge in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, DreamDevs offers a rigorous nine-week boot camp that immerses participants via hands-on training from leading software engineers and experience building impactful products for millions of people.

The DreamDevs initiative comes at a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s digital economy, which has seen remarkable growth over the past two decades.

The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector contributed 18% to Nigeria’s GDP in 2024, underscoring its importance as a backbone for economic diversification.

However, the global tech workforce faces a significant challenge, with 4.5 million unfilled tech jobs worldwide—a gap that is expected to widen as demand for skilled workers outpaces supply. Initiatives like DreamDevs aim to address this shortage by nurturing local talent capable of competing on both domestic and global stages.

The program officially launched following a competitive hackathon that identified 20 exceptional young talents who earned their place in the boot camp.

Over the course of nine weeks, these participants will undergo intensive training in topics such as Java Refresher, Google Cloud Platform, Kafka Fundamentals, Google Cloud ML/AI, and Advanced Java, ensuring they develop the technical proficiency required to thrive in today’s digital economy. At the end of the boot camp, standout participants will earn internship opportunities, opening doors to further professional development, while all participants have the potential to secure full-time positions with Moniepoint.

Felix Ike, co-founder and chief technology officer of Moniepoint Inc, emphasized the company’s commitment to Africa’s future, stating that investing in young talent is crucial for driving technological advancement across the continent.

He highlighted that DreamDevs goes beyond just training; it is a strategic effort to create a pathway for ambitious graduates to become key players in Africa’s evolving tech landscape.

“We have always envisioned a transformative approach to technology, using it to power the dreams of millions and engineering financial happiness across the land,” Ike said. “By providing practical experience, upskilling opportunities, startup incubation, and product development support, DreamDevs equips participants to become invaluable assets to the tech industry while contributing to the government’s vision for a thriving digital economy in Nigeria.”

Moniepoint’s program complements existing government efforts such as the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative under President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, which aims to create two million digital jobs by 2025 and position Nigeria as a net exporter of tech talent.

Together, these programs are building Nigeria’s technical talent backbone—a foundational pillar in the Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy’s strategic blueprint.

With a track record of investing in tech talent across Africa, with previous initiatives such as Moniepoint HatchDev, a specialized nine-month training program in partnership with NITHub Unilag, and its hugely popular Women in Tech initiative, Moniepoint has consistently demonstrated its commitment and dedication to  leveraging digital technology for growth across all sectors while prioritizing infrastructure development and positioning itself as a driving force in the continent’s technological evolution.

HatchDev, a nine-month program aims to address the tech talent shortage in Nigeria by training 500 individuals with the skills needed to excel as junior software engineers, intelligent systems developers, and IoT/embedded systems engineers.

In line with the Ministry of Communications’ goal of creating 2 million digital jobs, HatchDev has done a careful selection process to ensure its participants are well-groomed for the challenges ahead, and has already successfully trained and placed software engineers in the first cohort. 

Benefits 

Participants stand a chance to receive the following benefits:

• Market-ready skills: Gain comprehensive training in various tech fields, including Front-end, Back-end, Mobile App Development, UI/UX Design, Data Science, and Embedded Systems/IoT.
• Hands-on experience: Learn from industry experts and apply your skills through real-life projects.
• Real-world internship: Secure a three-month internship at Moniepoint Inc. or partner organizations to gain practical experience.
• Career opportunities: Become a valuable asset in the growing Nigerian tech industry.

Eligibility

In order to qualify for the HatchDev program, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• You must have a keen interest in technology and be willing to learn more about it
• You should possess a basic understanding of HTML, CSS, and foundational JavaScript. This knowledge will enable you to make the most of the program and benefit from it. 
• Lastly, you must be fully committed to the program’s duration and schedule. This will ensure that you attend all sessions and complete all assignments on time. 

How to Apply

Applications for the second cohort are open until February 18, 2024. Don’t miss this chance to launch your tech career via HatchDev and become a part of the next generation of software engineers facilitating a sustainable future for Nigeria’s tech industry.