Country Director, Joshua Mwaniki. [Photo/business daily]Andela, Zuckerberg-backed start-up, has raised Sh4.1 billion to boost IT talent in three African countries including Kenya. Andela is a network of technology leaders dedicated to building high-performing engineering teams and companies by investing in Africa’s most talented software developers.The amount brings the Africa-based start-up’s funding to over Sh8.1 billion with previous support from Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, co-founded by Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg’s wife Priscilla Chan. Country Director, Joshua Mwaniki said, “In the two years since we launched Andela Kenya we’ve already become home to 300 brilliant engineers who are redefining the meaning of leadership on the continent and building a reputation for technological excellence.”Other financers namely DBL Partners, Amplo, Salesforce Ventures, Africa-focused TLcom Capital and existing investors; GV, and Spark Capital have participated in the investment.The founding partner of CRE Venture Capital, Pule Taukobong said Andela was initiated to meet the global technical talent shortage and has currently hired 0.7 per cent of more than 70,000 applicants from the region.

Do you have a lead on a newsworthy story? Share news tips with us here at Hivisasa!