EldoHub, an education, innovation, and technology organization with a focus on youth and women, has introduced Sasakazi. This platform acts as a bridge, connecting tech professionals in Kenya with businesses, effectively aligning them based on their unique digital needs.
Sasakazi, which means “Now Work” in Swahili, is a digital platform designed for job matching and job blending. Its primary aim is to empower Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by assisting them in developing customized digital solutions for their businesses. This process not only benefits the enterprises but also generates employment opportunities for young tech professionals.
EldoHub Founder and CEO Magdaline Chepkemoi said the launch of the Sasakazi platform is a huge milestone for the tech organization and the digital ecosystem in Kenya.
“The launch event marked an important milestone in our journey to empower young tech professionals and bridge the digital skills gap in Kenya. The event also highlighted the collaborative efforts of various organizations and stakeholders in driving digital transformation and job creation in Kenya,” said Chepkemoi.
Speaking at the launch, Deputy British High Commissioner to Kenya Josephine Gauld said the UK-funded programme will help build a more equitable and diverse digital ecosystem.
“The partnership with Eldohub has shown that there is still a lot of demand for digital talent from both technology companies and traditional companies looking to digitalise and grow their businesses,” noted Gauld.
Sasakazi is a product of a three-year partnership between EldoHub, which is based in Eldoret, Thunderbird Global School of Management (Arizona State University, USA) and UK-Kenya Tech Hub and is funded by the UK government through the Africa Tech and Innovation Partnership (ATIP).
Built to disrupt the industry by creating professional digital apprenticeship with time-tested soft skills for digital work setting, Sasakazi supports MSMEs to digitize and broaden the business scope by opening them up to new markets; creating and maintain data platforms, websites and Apps; and to overcome disruptions caused by global pandemics such as Covid-19 among other interventions.
ICT and Digital Economy Principal Secretary, End John Tanui, lauded Sasakazi platform as an accessible marketplace for tech skills and talent on one hand and MSMEs on the other.
“The SasaKazi platform will disrupt the industry by creating professional digital apprenticeships with time tested soft skills for digital work setting and support MSMEs to digitize in Africa,” added ICT and Digital Economy Principal Secretary, End John Tanui.
The platform is providing an opportunity for young tech talents to market their skills and qualifications and access opportunities and employers in the digital economy locally, regionally and in other countries across the globe.
Sasakazi helps the interested businesses to identify, vet, recruit and place young tech talents to complete a digital project that has been identified by the business to suit its needs.
“Let us build an environment where no talent is untapped and where opportunities are not missed,” said Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) acting CEO John Paul Okwiri.
So far, the project has reached 3,884 tech talents, placed 386 junior tech professionals into 181 businesses (start-ups, SMEs, and traditional businesses) in Kenya, with up to 90 per cent of the tech talents having been hired by the businesses, a proof of the significance of the initiative.
Sasakazi works closely with the businesses and the junior tech professionals to ensure they mutually benefit from their tech relationship.
The platform aims to onboard 1 million users and create 100,000 new jobs for the young unemployed youth and women in the digital space within the next five years with plans to expand beyond the African borders.