Leading technology provider, ALX, is to retool over two million youths in Africa for the dynamic world of work and effectively position to provide innovative solutions to prevailing challenges.

The announcement was made as ALX Nigeria hosted over 400 new learners at the Karibu ‘Welcome’ ceremony to officially induct new learners and aspiring techies, aged 18 to 34, into the ALX community.

In his welcome address, Founder and CEO of ALX, Fred Swaniker, congratulated the new learners. He noted that Africa still lags behind in efforts at preparing youths for skills of the future.

Swaniker submitted: “While China boasts seven million professional software engineers, the U.S. has over four million and India has over two million, while Africa has less than 700,000.”

He charged the trainees to leverage the opportunity to better their lives.

The Karibu event is the second in the series. The inaugural launch was held in May, with over 5,000 learners adopted.

Attendees included Head of Partnerships, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Sherifah Balogun; Principal of Wellspring College, Innocent Agofure; Human Resource Director for FSDH, Omotoso Oluwasegun and representatives from Mastercard Foundation and African Leadership University.

General Manager of ALX Nigeria and moderator of the event, Ruby Igwe, advised the beneficiaries to show commitment and passion during the training.

During the panel discussion, ALX fellows discussed the numerous benefits new learners stand to gain

A participant and Chief Executive Officer of Digivate 360, Olusegun Oyetunji, lauded the enthusiasm and growing interest in technology among young people in Africa.