Nedamco Academy and Microsoft: A Powerful Collaboration for Africa's Digital Future
SEPTEMBER 12, 2024 | NEDAMCO AFRICA PRESS CENTER
Nedamco Academy is proud to announce the advancement of its partnership with Microsoft, a collaboration that is transforming the lives of young Africans by equipping them with essential technology skills for a sustainable future. Central to this partnership is the involvement of Microsoft Netherlands’ CEO, Anke den Ouden, whose leadership and vision have been instrumental in supporting the Academy’s mission.
In a recent LinkedIn post, Anke den Ouden highlighted the impact of Microsoft’s Tech for Social Impact program, through which students in Ethiopia and Rwanda received laptops and discounted licenses. Her message reinforces the shared commitment between Microsoft and Nedamco Academy to enhance digital skills and foster innovation across the continent. “I am incredibly proud to be part of this journey and to see the impact we are making together,” Anke den Ouden wrote. This strong endorsement from a key figure at Microsoft reflects the importance of the collaboration in driving socioeconomic development through technology.
The Nedamco Academy, established in December 2021, empowers the next generation to shape Africa’s sustainable future. Recognizing that many projects in the past have failed due to a lack of local (institutional) capacity, Nedamco has made it a priority to engage with local communities from the start of every project. The Academy addresses the critical skills gap in Ethiopia by providing young people with technology training not typically offered in conventional educational programs. With a focus on climate and cloud technologies, the Academy offers both upskilling and employment opportunities to recent graduates.
Since its inception, the Nedamco Academy has successfully nurtured a culture of innovation and empowered young Africans to engage significantly in the tech industry. Through continuous learning and real-world employment opportunities, participants are not only closing the skills gap but also positioning themselves as leaders in the global tech landscape, driving socioeconomic development across the continent.
A shining example of this impact is Ellon Solomon Berhanu, a star student from the Nedamco Academy who was awarded a prestigious scholarship to Carnegie Mellon University in Kigali for his master’s in Artificial Intelligence. Ellon is currently interning at Nedamco Capital in the Netherlands, where he is working on innovative projects, including the Nedamco Digital Twin—designed by Microsoft architects—to predict flash floods and forest fires in Ethiopia using Generative AI and data from strategic partners such as the Red Cross, United Nations, and World Bank.
Anke den Ouden’s leadership emphasizes the value of such collaborations in addressing global challenges with technology. As she aptly stated, “Let’s continue to innovate, collaborate, and create a brighter future for all.” Her message captures the essence of this partnership and reinforces Microsoft’s role in empowering the next generation of African leaders.
Additionally, the Nedamco Academy has partnered with EY through its *EY Ripples Green Skills Passport* program, which actively supports students by providing key digital skills for sustainability and green innovation. This collaboration further strengthens the Academy’s efforts to foster a skilled workforce capable of addressing pressing environmental challenges.
With over 500 Microsoft certifications achieved by local youth and the certification of the first 13 Ethiopian Microsoft Certified Educators, Nedamco Academy—supported by Microsoft and EY—is building the internal capacity needed to implement climate technology solutions and drive sustainable growth in the region.
Together with Microsoft and EY, Nedamco Academy continues to make strides toward a future where digital skills fuel innovation and create opportunities for socioeconomic progress across Africa.
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