The Africa Digital Media Institute (ADMI) has collaborated with Microsoft to open an AppFactory at the institution’s downtown Nairobi campus.
AppFactory will form part of ADMI’s Mobile App & Game Development Program, a joint press statement from ADMI and Microsoft said.
Through the Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative, the AppFactory at ADMI seeks to establish “a dynamic apprenticeship platform addressing the mismatch of skills in the East African software, games and mobile application market.”
With an AppFactory at USIU-Africa, and another at the Mawingu Networks headquarters in Nanyuki, this marks the third AppFactory in Kenya as well as the 18th on African soil.
The program at ADMI is projected to equip students with skills in programming, cloud computing and data analytics. It will also seek to enhance web design and mobile-based solutions for what the two firms term as “a global market.”
“Every six months, 15 to 20 graduates from ADMI and other local institutions, will be selected to take part in the AppFactory, and work alongside senior software engineers on real-world projects,” the press statement said.
ADMI Founding Director Wilfred Kiumi said, “Employers have vacancies they need to fill, but there is a shortage of skilled professionals to fill them. Through this skills lab, we’re addressing the problem by providing mentorship and sharpening the skills of local youth.”
Kiumi also said that participants will also pass through a career developement company which will make the graduates ready to be placed in ICT firms.
Microsoft 4Afrika chief technology officer Ryno Rijnsburger said this will be the first AppFactory focusing on gaming.
“Through this collaboration, young graduates will develop a broader range of ICT and workplace skills fundamental to success in the digital age,” the Microsoft 4Afrika CTO said.
