February 12th and 13th 2025 saw 01 Talent Kenya join the ultimate gathering of visionaries, disruptors, and trailblazers at the Africa Tech Summit held at Sarit Expo Centre. From ed-tech, fintech, healthcare, agriculture, and beyond, the summit was a powerhouse of ideas, proving that Africa isn’t just keeping up with the global tech scene but also leading the charge. Industry leaders and tech pioneers came together to showcase cutting-edge innovations shaping Africa’s future.

Being part of this experience with 01 Talent Kenya was nothing short of exhilarating. Booth 41 was our home for those two days, where Caleb Nyoiro, Paul Oguda, Maina Anne, and I had the privilege of meeting incredible people and sharing our vision. The energy was electric, and the conversations were eye-opening. Some attendees were already familiar with Zone01 Kisumu and 01 Talent Kenya, but for others, it was a chance to learn first-hand about what we do and how we’re redefining tech and talent acquisition in Africa.

After the initial salutations, Adam Gill, a Search Consultant at Executives in Africa Limited, asked, “What is 01 Talent Kenya, and what do you do at Zone 01 Kisumu?” This marked the beginning of a conversation about our mission.

At Zone 01 Kisumu, we are revolutionizing the way tech skills are developed. Our talents learn through peer-to-peer interaction, fostering collective intelligence. With a strong emphasis on project-based learning, we ensure they can adapt, innovate, and tackle real-world challenges in an ever-evolving industry. Traditional education models can’t keep up with the rapid pace of tech. Instead, we cultivate an environment where learning is continuous, collaborative, and directly aligned with industry needs.

At the summit, we got to share what makes our model work. The hiring landscape is tough, and companies are constantly looking for highly skilled, well-trained, and motivated tech talent. That’s exactly what we produce at Zone01 Kisumu. Employers were eager to understand how our talents are not only job-ready but also capable of seamlessly integrating into teams, adapting to different tech stacks, and delivering results from day one.

But this summit wasn’t just about showcasing what we do, it was about learning too. We engaged with investors, employers and policymakers gaining insights into what they’re looking for and how we can continue refining our approach. We also saw the bigger picture, Africa’s tech ecosystem is booming and the need for top-tier talent has never been higher.

One of the highlights was discussing how our peer-to-peer learning model fosters collective intelligence. At Zone01 Kisumu, we believe that knowledge is everywhere, just a few clicks away. What matters is not just knowing but knowing how to use and apply that knowledge creatively. That’s what sets our talents apart, they think critically, collaborate, and push boundaries.

Our talents have also had vast experience in hackathons, integrating AI and blockchain into various applications. These emerging technologies are shaping the future, and our talents are well-versed in them. The summit reinforced how essential it is for companies to embrace AI and blockchain solutions and how crucial it is to have a workforce that understands them inside out.

The summit highlighted innovators across sectors, with fintech leaders like Flutterwave, MoniePoint, Raenest, Grey, and BudPay simplifying cross-border payments, while Tala and MoniePoint focused on lending solutions. Zuri Health leveraged AI for remote health checks, and Aquarech transformed fish farming with quality feeds and training. Meta Map and Smile ID enhanced security with KYC and document verification, Adjust empowered mobile marketers with analytics, and Datamellon showcased AI-driven data solutions. Not to forget Zerobionic, which promotes inclusive STEM education through accessible robotic tools. These are just a few of the companies driving technological growth and reshaping industries across Africa.

This experience wasn’t just about networking, it was about being part of something bigger. We’re building the future of Africa’s tech industry, one problem solver at a time. Walking away from the summit, I felt more certain than ever that we’re on the right path. We’re not just preparing for the future, we’re creating it.