How Dorothy Okoth is Building the Backend of Africa’s Tech Future

Right now, the tech industry faces a frustrating paradox, especially for young Tech talent in Africa.

Companies urgently need skilled developers to grow. Meanwhile, thousands of talented young people spend hours learning to code, but still struggle to get hired. The main reason is that employers want experience, and it is very hard to get that first real-world opportunity unless someone gives you a chance.

This gap is exactly why EldoHub created the SasaKazi platform. The goal is simple: don’t leave tech talent stuck after graduation. Instead, connect skilled, vetted individuals directly with startups, small businesses, and growing companies that need them.

The numbers show that the system works. To date, Sasakazi has reached over 10,000 users on the platform, with 6,000+ vetted young tech talents. So far, we have completed 378 real-world digital projects for businesses, matched with over 1250 businesses, while receiving 1:1 mentorship from professionals in the ICT industry.

Thanks to this hands-on approach, we see a 90% job placement rate.

But data only tells part of the story. The real impact of SasaKazi is seen in what our alumni do once they join the workforce.

Today, Dorothy works as a Back-End Developer. She specializes in Python and uses frameworks like Django and FastAPI. If you use the hospital management systems or construction platforms she has worked on, you are using her code.

Getting to this point was not easy. Like many new developers, Dorothy faced common challenges. She had to keep up with new technologies, juggle different responsibilities, and move from just knowing how to code to actually building products for real businesses.

This is where SasaKazi made a difference.

Through the platform, Dorothy moved from theory to real-world practice. She gained hands-on experience, improved her communication, and learned how to work well with a team in a fast-paced environment.

As Dorothy puts it:

"The SasaKazi Program played a significant role in shaping my career path. It strengthened my technical foundation, improved my confidence, and exposed me to practical opportunities. Through persistence, continuous learning, and the support from SasaKazi, I have been able to overcome early-career challenges and grow both personally and professionally."

Dorothy’s story stands out not just because she became a skilled engineer, but because of how she used her success.

Globally, the tech industry still struggles. Worldwide, the tech industry still faces challenges with gender balance. At SasaKazi, women now make up 38% of our talent pool, and we are working to increase that number. Dorothy is not just part of this group; she is helping the next generation succeed, too. Today, she serves as a Zindi Country Ambassador and is an active member of Google Women TechMakers. She organizes coding bootcamps, speaks at tech events, and trains students on Responsible AI. She took the foundation SasaKazi gave her and turned it into a launchpad to empower other young people with digital skills.

When we connect a tech professional with a business, we do more than fill a job opening. We invest in the people who will build the systems we depend on and support our communities.

Dorothy shows what can happen when ambitious people get the right support. When you bridge the experience gap, you do more than help one career; you help grow the whole ecosystem.

Are you a business looking to hire skilled, job-ready tech talent? Or are you a young professional hoping to connect your skills to real-world opportunities? Find out more about the SasaKazi platform today.