Nedamco Academy
The Nedamco Academy empowers the next generation to shape Africa’s sustainable future.
Founded in 2021 as part of the Nedamco Foundation, the Nedamco Academy has been pivotal in equipping African talent, particularly in Ethiopia and Rwanda, with critical skills in climate and technology. The Academy’s mission is to empower students to leverage advanced technology, such as Microsoft’s Generative AI, in ways that support society by improving public services, enhancing government responses, and uplifting communities through sustainable development, and enabling funding from the private sector.
AI for Good and Building a Resilient Society
Through the Microsoft Tech for Social impact program students in Ethiopia and Rwanda received laptops and discounted licenses. With this collaboration we have taken a step forward in our joined commitment to enhance digital skills and innovation. Utilizing Generative AI, students are trained to build solutions that address pressing challenges in public health, climate resilience, and safety, all in service of a broader goal: using technology for societal wellness, “AI for Good”. The Academy’s focus on “AI for Good” prepares students to contribute to Nedamco’s platform, using AI tools that enhance government capabilities to make data-driven decisions, ultimately improving quality of life and community resilience.
This forward-thinking education program bridges the gap between conventional education and the evolving needs of climate resilience and digital transformation, providing hands-on training and career pathways. By adopting the “Talent as a Service” model, the Academy empowers the next generation to shape Africa’s sustainable future while ensuring a local skills base capable of advancing and sustaining impactful climate- and technical projects. Next to this, our trainees – trained for purpose – are well-equipped to operate and maintain the Nedamco Digital Twin platform, sustaining its functionality and scalability in ways that support long-term societal benefits. They are also trained to enhance existing functionalities with new AI for Good solutions as they emerge.
Commitment to Inclusive Excellence
Inclusivity is a core tenet of the Academy, reflected in the diversity of its participants:
- Microsoft Certified Trainers: 15% of the Nedamco academy students have been upskilled to Microsoft certified trainers, further embedding expertise locally.
- Gender Diversity: 50% of the Academy’s students are female, representing significant strides in gender inclusion within the region’s tech education landscape. This emphasis on gender diversity not only supports equitable opportunities but also strengthens the innovation ecosystem, bringing varied perspectives to the climate-tech industry.
- People with Disabilities: We offer customized learning options to support students with disabilities (5.1%) , integrating them into Africa’s evolving tech sector. The Academy’s commitment to accessibility ensures that all participants can develop and apply their skills, contributing to a workforce that mirrors the diversity of African communities.
- Mothers (7.7%): The Academy creates opportunities for young mothers who balance professional growth and personal commitments, enriching the learning environment with unique perspectives. This support for mothers underscores the Academy’s dedication to inclusive excellence, fostering an environment where all individuals can pursue impactful careers in climate tech.
Overall, the Academy is committed to building local and institutional capacity by partnering with organizations to train a diverse group of students in tackling local challenges through our Digital Twin platform, addressing early warning systems for forest fires, flash floods, landslides, and other climate-related issues. This approach enhances community resilience by equipping trained individuals to generate local insights and deliver timely, actionable information to governments.
High Certification Success Rates
The Academy’s curriculum, covering leading platforms such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Google, has produced impressive results, with over 90% of students achieving certification on their first attempt. Furthermore, 31% of participants have completed over ten certifications, underscoring a strong commitment to ongoing professional growth. Key achievements include 92% completion in sustainability training and 87% in Generative AI. This curriculum, custom designed for Nedamco by the former Microsoft Global Head of Skilling and Certification. ensures graduates are well-prepared to sustain and advance climate-tech solutions, strengthening institutional and societal capacities across Africa.
Strategic Focus on Local- and Institutional Capacity Building
Recognizing that many projects fail due to limited local expertise, Nedamco embeds capacity building into its project design as of day one. By prioritizing institutional capacity building, the Academy partners with local organizations to create a structured, sustainable support network, enhancing long-term project resilience. Simultaneously, engaging local communities and equipping young professionals with advanced climate and cloud technology skills — often unavailable through traditional education — ensures that critical expertise is retained within the community. This dual approach strengthens the sustainability and effectiveness of projects, as local talent continues to uphold and evolve impactful climate tech initiatives, preventing knowledge loss and fostering enduring positive outcomes.
Global Partnerships and Socioeconomic Impact
Beyond individual certifications, the Academy fosters career advancement through scholarships, including opportunities for top graduates to pursue master’s degrees in AI and Machine Learning at international Universities.
One of our star students, Ellon Solomon Berhanu, was awarded a prestigious scholarship to attend Carnegie Mellon University in Kigali for his master’s degree in AI. Recently, Ellon was interning at Nedamco in the Netherlands, working on cutting-edge Microsoft technologies, including Generative AI. His work on the Nedamco Digital Twin, designed by Microsoft architects, focuses on flash flood warning and fire forecasting models for Ethiopia.
With data of Nedamco’s strategic partners like the Red Cross, United Nations and World Bank the Nedamco Sustainability Command Center, powered by Generative AI, can simulate and predict future events, helping local governments take preventive actions based on data-driven decisions to prevent flash floods and forest fires. After his internship, Ellon was received by the CEO of Microsoft Netherlands, Anke den Ouden.
Furthermore, the Academy has certified Ethiopia’s first Microsoft Educators, who are instrumental in capacity building, working alongside the Ethiopian and Rwandan governments to train government staff and local talent to implement climate technology solutions effectively.
Supported by collaborations such as Microsoft’s Tech for Social Impact program and EY’s Green Skills Passport initiative, and the EY AI- Skills Passport the Nedamco Academy has taken significant strides in advancing digital skills and fostering innovation across Africa. These partnerships provide students in Ethiopia and Rwanda with vital resources, including laptops and discounted licenses, aligning with shared goals to enhance digital expertise and drive sustainable development.
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