Empowering the Next Generation of Tech Entrepreneurs in South Africa

3 min read

ALX Ventures, the entrepreneurship support arm of ALX, has officially launched in South Africa with the objective of empowering a new wave of agile tech start-ups.

Following successful launches in Nigeria and Rwanda, ALX Ventures is poised to commence its first cohort in South Africa this month. The program has garnered over 1,300 applications, underscoring the significant interest and demand for entrepreneurship support in the country.

The goal of ALX Ventures in South Africa is to cultivate and bolster young local tech talent and early-stage start-ups as they endeavour to establish, accelerate, and secure funding for promising disruptive ventures that address global challenges and opportunities through business.

Divesh Sooka, the General Manager of ALX South Africa, emphasized the potential of African youth in pioneering game-changing ventures. He underscored the significance of developing real-world tech and professional skills that will enable tomorrow’s leaders to establish and expand their own start-ups in the evolving tech landscape of today.

ALX is a leading African technology training provider that equips young people with high-demand technical skills and essential soft skills for thriving in the global digital economy. As part of African Leadership International, its blended learning programmes are tailored to assist learners and professionals in building their careers in high-growth industries and emerging as digital leaders for the 21st century.

The ALX Ventures programmes are fully sponsored for eligible candidates and are available online to young Africans between the ages of 18-34. Participants in South Africa will also have access to two ALX tech hub working spaces in Braamfontein and Sophiatown, Johannesburg.

These programmes encompass the Founder Academy, the Accelerator Programme, and the Venture Capital Fund, each running successively to offer comprehensive support and resources for aspiring tech entrepreneurs. The curriculum also includes essential soft skills training, with a focus on coding and leadership development, to ensure that participants are equipped with the qualities necessary for individual success and startup growth.

ALX has graduated over 97,000 learners from its tech training courses over the years. With plans to rapidly expand their learner community, ALX has already enrolled over 100,000 learners in the first two months of 2024.

Divesh Sooka concluded by underscoring the wealth of untapped talent in South Africa and the potential for these individuals to develop innovative solutions to unique challenges. He believes that the launch of ALX Ventures will empower the country’s youth with the necessary tools to actively participate in the global digital economy and shape their own economic futures through entrepreneurship.