By Rachael Olatayo
In an era where technology is rapidly reshaping the global workforce, few leaders are as uniquely positioned to drive transformation in both business and education as Oyinkansola Oni. As the Founder of Hayes, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering young Africans through technology skilling, and as a Program Manager at Microsoft, Oyinkansola is at the forefront of a movement that is not only shaping the future of work but also ensuring Africa’s place in the digital economy.
Oyinkansola’s career trajectory is one that blends entrepreneurship with strategic leadership in one of the world’s most influential tech companies. At Microsoft, where she leads strategy operations, and field enablement and skilling, product expansion for the Azure Platform as a Service (PaaS) portfolio, Oyinkansola is leveraging the power of cloud technologies and AI to accelerate digital transformation across industries. Her expertise in driving innovative business strategies, executing with excellence, and cultivating strategic partnerships has positioned her as a thought leader in the technology space.
But it is her work with Hayes that truly underscores her commitment to driving long-term change in Africa’s workforce. Founded with the vision of upskilling young Africans in emerging technologies, Hayes is creating pathways for thousands of young people to enter and thrive in the global tech industry and has already impacted over 5,000 individuals across Africa in the last 6 years. With the newly launched bootcamp, Project Enable I.T, Hayes is directly closing the skills gap in AI, data science, product design, and cloud technologies amongst unemployed undergraduates, equipping participants with the tools they need to succeed in the modern job market.
“Empowering young people with the right skills is not just a business opportunity; it’s a catalyst for transformation, enabling innovation that can reshape a nation and even the entire continent,” says Oyinkansola. “In Africa, where the youth population is growing rapidly, we have a unique opportunity to lead in tech, but it requires us to invest in education and skilling that meets the demands of the future. At Hayes, we are working to ensure that Africa is not just a consumer of technology but a creator and leader in the tech world.”
Through Hayes, Oyinkansola aims to create an ecosystem where AI talent is nurtured, local solutions are developed, and young entrepreneurs are given the resources they need to turn their ideas into scalable businesses. By focusing on hands-on, real-world training, Hayes has been instrumental in shaping the next generation of tech leaders who are prepared not only to navigate the future of work but to define it.
While Oyinkansola is helping to shape the future of AI skilling through her work with Hayes, her role at Microsoft provides a unique vantage point into the global tech landscape. With a deep understanding of the forces driving cloud adoption and AI integration in businesses, Oyinkansola is bridging the gap between technological innovation and workforce development. She is an advocate for continuous learning, ensuring that businesses, especially in Africa, are ready to adopt and implement AI and cloud technologies to drive growth and innovation.
“I see AI as a tool for transformation,” says Oyinkansola. “It’s not just about automating processes; it’s about enhancing human potential and creating new opportunities. By integrating AI skilling into workforce development initiatives, we can ensure that Africa is not left behind in this new era of technological advancement.”
Oyinkansola’s work is reshaping how businesses approach talent development, and it is laying the foundation for Africa’s emergence as a global leader in AI and technology. As the continent faces challenges in education and job creation, Oyinkansola’s approach is paving the way for a more inclusive and digitally competent workforce.
Her efforts to champion AI skilling are not just shaping the tech industry, they are transforming the very nature of work in Africa. By fostering a culture of innovation, leadership, and lifelong learning, Oyinkansola Oni is ensuring that the future of work in Africa is one of opportunity, growth, and leadership.
