#42 - Victor Abedi

12/15/24 • 119 min

Victor Abedi, a seasoned Site Reliability Engineer, shares his journey from the bustling streets of Umoja and Kibera to leading teams at major tech companies like Disney. How did his disciplined upbringing in Nairobi shape his career and instill resilience? Victor’s story is a testament to the power of personal narratives in the tech world and the untapped potential in African cities like Kigali and Nairobi.
As we navigate through Victor's academic and professional milestones, you'll gain insights into the African education system and the challenges of pursuing a career in tech. From the strict routines of Kenyan boarding schools to discovering a passion for computing and programming, Victor highlights the importance of practical knowledge and self-initiative. His experiences underscore the value of creating systems tailored to unique contexts and the progress being driven by young innovators across Africa.
Join us as Victor recounts his career transitions from working on financial systems at Bring, to his role at Wiseline, and ultimately becoming a Senior Site Reliability Engineer at Disney. Learn about the intricacies of managing major platforms like Hulu and HBO, and the significance of community and giving back. This episode is a celebration of the resilience and determination that adversity breeds, with a promise of more captivating stories from influential tech figures across Africa. Don’t miss out—subscribe, share, and let’s celebrate the movers and shakers in the African tech scene!

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undefined - #41 Impact Master Hope Wanjeri: From Nairobi's Streets to Tech Innovation and Mentorship #africa #womenintech #podcast #inspiration #community

#41 Impact Master Hope Wanjeri: From Nairobi's Streets to Tech Innovation and Mentorship #africa #womenintech #podcast #inspiration #community

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What does it take to rise from the bustling streets of Nairobi to becoming a force in the tech industry? Meet Hope Wanjeri, a dynamic tech developer whose journey is nothing short of inspiring. From her early days in Ruaka to her impressive roles at KCA University and Moringa School, Hope's story is a testament to the power of resilience and community support. Listen as Hope recounts her formative years, her academic pursuits, and the milestones that have shaped her career, including being a GHC 23 Scholar and a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador.
Walk with us through Hope's nostalgic memories of school life, from mischievous nursery days to the challenges and triumphs of boarding high school. We explore the stark contrasts between public and private education in Kenya, the emotional roller coaster of transitioning to high school, and the significant impact of language curriculum issues on cultural identity. Hope's candid reflections provide a window into the everyday realities and social dynamics of Kenyan schooling, shedding light on the importance of a balanced approach to language education.
Our conversation also delves into Hope's experiences at KCA University, the vibrant tech events she attended, and the invaluable role of tech communities in her growth. Discover how hackathons, mentorship, and community engagement have been pivotal in overcoming gender challenges in the tech industry. As we conclude, Hope emphasizes the critical importance of mentorship in engineering and the empowering potential of tech communities like Africa's Talking Women in Tech. This episode is a powerful narrative of perseverance, community, and the relentless pursuit of one's passions in the tech world.

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#43 Empowering Communities Through AI: The Kalebu Jordan Story

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What if coding could bridge the digital divide and bring innovation to the most rural parts of Africa? Meet Kalebu Jordan Gwalugano, a pioneering force in AI and machine learning from Tanzania, who is doing just that. From his humble beginnings in the rural town of Tukuyu, Mbea, Kaleb's passion for programming has led him to create AI tools that connect people beyond the reach of the internet and develop ingenious SMS solutions for farmers. His journey from mechatronics engineer to founder of Neurotech, a startup championing natural language processing for African languages, paints a vibrant picture of innovation, resilience, and community engagement.
We recount Kaleb's formative years, where science competitions lit a fire of curiosity in a young student eager to explore the practical applications of engineering. This passion propelled him through the disappointing reality of uninspiring college teaching methods, leading him to embrace coding as a self-taught endeavor. His pursuit of programming started with C and C++ and later bloomed with Python, enabling him to design impactful solutions and carve a niche in the tech community. The narrative also highlights the crucial role communities play in supporting young tech enthusiasts, emphasizing how collaboration can drive significant leaps in AI development for African languages.
Join our discussion as we navigate Kaleb's entrepreneurial path, from founding a chatbot company to creating Sarufi, an open-source platform tackling language barriers in AI. We explore the challenges faced, including the financial struggles of early projects and the strategic pivots that turned setbacks into opportunities for growth. Kaleb's story is a testament to the potential of tech innovation to transform lives, underscoring the importance of community involvement and collective action in building a digital future for Africa. Tune in to be inspired by how one man's vision is shaping the future of technology and language in his home continent.

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