As we wind down 2024, we're diving into our archives to serve up some memorable throwback conversations.
Whether you're a long-time listener revisiting these gems or discovering them for the first time, these conversations capture pivotal moments in Africa's tech journey. In today's episode, we're rewinding to 2018...
Episode overview:
Join us as we eavesdrop on a fascinating corridor conversation from Afrobytes Tech Marketplace in Paris featuring Amadou Daffe, who has since transformed Gebeya from an Ethiopian tech talent marketplace into a pan-African hybrid organisation connecting African developers with global opportunities, and Adewale Yusuf, who went from leading the tech media platform Techpoint to founding AltSchool Africa, which is now expanding online tech education from Africa into Europe.
What makes this chat particularly relevant today is how it foreshadowed Ethiopia's emergence as a tech talent powerhouse and Nigeria's developer compensation dynamics.
Critical insights:
1. The "Andela Effect" on developer salaries in Nigeria and its impact on local startups
2. Ethiopia's unique developer culture characterised by quiet confidence and humility
3. The stark contrast between Ethiopian and Nigerian developer mindsets
4. An unexpected revelation about Paga's Ethiopian development roots
Standout moments:
- Daffe reveals why he chose Ethiopia over Nigeria and Kenya for his tech venture
- A surprising disclosure about Ethiopian developers' role in programming Sophia the robot
- The parallel drawn between Nigeria's music industry success and its tech ecosystem
Market intelligence (circa 2018):
- Ethiopia: 43 universities offering computer science degrees
Nigeria: Developer salaries reaching $50,000, pricing out local startups
- Ethiopian developers' competitive advantage: Similar quality at $10,000/year
Looking back, looking forward:
As we revisit this conversation in 2024, it's fascinating to see how many of these observations played out. Has Ethiopia realised its potential as a tech hub? Have Nigeria's developer salary dynamics stabilised?
We're curious...
- Did this episode resonate with your current experience in either market?
- Should we get Daffe and Yusuf back on the show to discuss how things have evolved for them as founders?
- Are you a developer from either country? We'd love to hear your perspective!
Today we discuss Christopher Wray's announcement that he will step down as FBI director and what it means for Trump. How has Pete Hegseth managed to keep his rocky nomination on track (and how much help did he get from his critics in the press)? Also, the hostage deal currently in the works seems to refute the entire Biden approach to Israel's war with Hamas. Give a listen.
Ethiopia and Somalia have agreed to end their bitter dispute over Addis Ababa's plans to build a port in the breakaway republic of Somaliland following talks in Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the "historic agreement", which he said would eventually ensure landlocked Ethiopia's access to the sea. How significant is this?
Also what's keeping protestors on the streets of Mozambique?
And a look at the complicated relationship between South Africa and Nigeria.
Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Sunita Nahar, Rob Wilson and Bella Hassan in London. Blessing Aderogba is in Lagos.
Technical Producer: Fran Dunne
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
US president commutes around 1,500 sentences and pardons 39 people. Also: inside Syria's abandoned presidential palace, recreational use of cannabis banned in Japan, and the secret to being happy at work.
A bill to formally provide federal protections to the Ocmulgee Mounds in Georgia is making progress in Congress. If approved, it would establish the state’s first National Park and Preserve overseen by the National Park Service. The land is the ancestral home of the Muscogee Creek Nation and other tribes. The preservation momentum comes as several other locations look to better document and protect mounds. In Wisconsin, officials identified two mounds in Milwaukee’s oldest cemetery. We’ll get updates on recent efforts to recognize and preserve mounds.
American freed in Syria. New evidence as investigators build CEO shooting case. FBI Director stepping down. Tough times for CA vineyards. CBS News Correspondent Steve Kathan has today's World News Roundup.
Tom Homan, president-elect Trump’s pick to lead border security, said this week that he wants to start the Trump administration’s planned deportations here in Chicago. Speaking at a holiday party in Portage Park, he said he would prosecute Mayor Brandon Johnson if he does not cooperate. Reset discusses how Homan’s plans could affect undocumented immigrants and the greater Chicago community with Mark Fleming of the National Immigrant Justice Center, Xanat Sobrevilla from Organized Communities Against Deportations and Beatriz Ponce De León, Deputy Mayor of Immigrant, Migrant and Refugee Rights.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Quickie with Bob: Atomic Scale Precision; News Items: Innate Morality, New Space Station, Climate Hot Spots, Orcas Wearing Hats, Evidence Against Water on Venus; Who's That Noisy; Your Questions and E-mails: Fisher Scream, CT UFO; Science or Fiction
I've felt like I wanted to say a ton about this since day 1, but keep holding back. I finally hit brain saturation and just need to share. I think I have a useful way of looking at this whole thing, hope you'll consider it. Oh and also, f--- UnitedHealthcare and f--- the for profit healthcare industry in its entirety.
