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Software developer training programme Andela has announced its expansion to Uganda, the company’s third African market, with eight developers chosen to form the first Kampala-based cohort.

Launched in Nigeria in September 2014, Andela identifies talented young Africans and trains them to become top developers, and outsources them to work at global firms.

The company aims to bridge the gap between skilled software developers and the companies that need them, with Andela developers currently working with organisations ranging from venture-backed startups like 6Sense and the Muse to industry leaders including Google and Microsoft.

The company expanded to Kenya in July 2015; and has now announced it has chosen Uganda as its third African market.

Andela conducted a recruitment campaign in Uganda across May, receiving 800 applications, from with eight developers have been selected to form the first cohort.

“The Kampala tech scene is vibrant, growing, and full of entrepreneurial spirit and untapped potential,” says Andela’s chief strategy officer Wambui Kinya.

“Andela is excited to support and contribute to the growth of the Ugandan tech ecosystem by providing a hub for brilliant minds to learn and collaborate.”

The company said it decided to launch in Uganda after collecting and analysing data on technology ecosystems across Africa over two years.

“With 70 per cent of its population below the age of 25 – the second youngest country in the world – Uganda represents a massive opportunity for Andela to equip the next generation of technologists and innovators in Kampala with the expertise they need to accelerate the advancement of their local communities through technology,” the company said.

Disrupt Africa reported last year Andela raised a US$24 million Series B funding round led by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.  With total funding to date in excess of US$40 million, Andela is backed by a number of investors including GV (formerly Google Ventures), Spark Capital, Omidyar Network, Learn Capital, and CRE Ventures.

Andela currently has over 400 trained developers working with 80 companies worldwide.  The company aims to double this number of developers by the end of 2017.

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