Nigerian technology entrepreneur Iyinoluwa Aboyeji has launched Talent Nation, a new venture aimed at training and supplying software developers to multinational companies seeking skilled artificial intelligence (AI) professionals.
Aboyeji, who co-founded Flutterwave and Andela and was an early investor in Moove, hopes to train one million AI engineers over the next 10 years. The initiative seeks to position African developers to benefit from the growing global demand for AI expertise.
The new company draws on Aboyeji’s experience with Andela, which he launched in 2014 to train software engineers across Africa. The company attracted support from prominent investors, including Mark Zuckerberg, Serena Williams and former US Vice President Al Gore, before expanding its recruitment beyond African developers in 2021.
Talent Nation has secured seed funding from African investment firm Enza Capital and London-based LocalGlobe, although the amount raised has not been disclosed.
Its first training initiative, Learn2Earn, has reportedly received 63,000 applications, with fewer than three per cent of applicants selected to participate. The selected candidates are currently undergoing training across multiple campuses, and the programme does not charge tuition fees.
Talent Nation’s chief executive and co-founder, Kesiah Valkin, said the challenge goes beyond identifying talented people. She explained that developing professionals to meet international standards requires the right infrastructure, training systems and support.
Africa’s Opportunity in the Global AI Industry
Africa remains a relatively small player in global AI investment, particularly compared with the enormous funding flowing into major technology companies and advanced AI developers in the United States.
According to figures cited from the Boston Consulting Group, Africa has approximately 62,000 AI specialists, representing about five per cent of the global AI workforce. Talent Nation’s founders believe this gap presents an opportunity for the continent to develop more professionals capable of meeting international demand.
While countries such as Nigeria and Kenya have developed national AI strategies, investment in computing infrastructure, data centres and AI-focused businesses remains important to the continent’s long-term progress.
Some infrastructure projects are already emerging. A company owned by Zimbabwean technology billionaire Strive Masiyiwa opened an AI computing facility in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2026 and plans to establish another in Johannesburg.
Meanwhile, demand for experienced AI professionals has increased globally, with technology companies offering substantial compensation packages to attract skilled workers. Talent Nation believes African engineers could help address the shortage by developing high-quality skills through more affordable training programmes.
Aboyeji estimates that training an AI engineer to a globally competitive level could cost less than $5,000 over two years. The proposed approach relies on peer-to-peer learning rather than paid instructors.
However, the company has yet to determine whether its graduates will work as full-time employees or independent contractors.
Through Talent Nation, Aboyeji aims to expand Africa’s contribution to the global AI workforce while helping make AI technology more accessible to businesses of different sizes. The success of the initiative will depend on its ability to train professionals who meet international standards and connect them with sustainable employment opportunities.
