Selection Kenya
Moringa Schools
Moringa School is a multi-disciplinary learning-accelerator committed to closing the skills-gap in Africa’s job markets by delivering transformative tech-based learning to high-potential jobseekers; and on graduation connecting them to local and international employers who desire high-quality tech talent. Founded in 2014, Moringa School launched their first Software Development class in Kenya with a cohort of only four students. Today, Moringa Schools are known nationwide and has over 8,000 students from diverse backgrounds attending their classes. The rapid growth is no wonder, as 70% of their students are employed in digital fields within 12 months of graduating.
The Problem
Kenya’s IT sector is growing rapidly and offers ample (self-) employment opportunities for software developers and data scientists. However, many young Kenyans, especially low-income youth, remain unemployed, despite having attended tech-related education at high school, TVET or university level. One of the main reasons for this is the skills mismatch in both soft and technical skills. The IT training provided by local universities is often too theoretical, outdated and does not focus on soft skills, which makes it less relevant for the rapidly changing IT sector. Moreover, many students also lack financial resources to even afford further education or necessary tools, such as laptops. IT companies also hesitate to hire youth. All these disproportionally affect youth from low-income families in semi-urban and rural areas.
Women aspiring to work in Kenya’s IT sector face additional challenges. Some women have male and community members that have negative reactions towards working women and can even forbid them from doing so. Women can also counter similar opinions at work, as the IT sector is male dominated. Women can often feel alone in navigating these issues and would like some support.
The Solution
To address these issues, Moringa Schools will launch a project that aims to improve the employability of Kenyan youth through market-aligned tech training in combination with internships at 30+ partner tech companies. The training will focus on technical, soft and entrepreneurial skills. Upon completion of the training, 530 youth will be matched with job opportunities at one of Moringa Schools’ 30+ partner tech companies, providing them with a direct pathway into the workforce. Additionally, 250 youth will be supported in starting their careers as freelancers, while 20 aspiring entrepreneurs will receive targeted support to establish their own businesses. Furthermore, this project will lead to the creation and improvement of 65 jobs, further contributing to the economic empowerment of the youth.
Mastercard Foundation will finance scholarships for low-income youth from the tech hub regions, and a fund will be established to prefinance up to 75% of tuition fees of self-paying students through Income Sharing Agreements (ISAs). Moreover, to ensure accessibility, technology, laptops and stipends will be provided to the students and interns. In total, the project will result in over 865 high quality jobs for Kenyan youth, of which 50% will be for women. Finally, the project will include female alumni as support for the female students who are navigating in a male dominated field and amongst the possible negative reactions from family and society.
Additionality
CFYE funding is crucial for integrating internships and scaling the pilot of the ISA model. These efforts will extend IT education and employment services to marginalised youth in various regions of Kenya, enhancing their employability and broadening the project’s reach. With the support of CFYE’s technical assistance in data reporting to attract financiers, Moringa Schools can effectively scale its model across Kenya. Without CFYE’s backing, Moringa Schools would face significant challenges in expanding its reach and serving a larger number of marginalised youths.
