In today’s rapidly digitising world, talent is the true currency of transformation. Yet in Nigeria and across Sub-Saharan Africa, a widening digital skills gap threatens to slow innovation, weaken competitiveness, and limit opportunities for millions of young people. The World Bank estimates that by 2030, between 35–45% of jobs in Nigeria will require digital skills, but many graduates remain underprepared for the demands of a tech-driven economy.
It is against this backdrop that Verraki launched the Verraki Academy, a bold initiative designed to cultivate enterprise-ready talent equipped not only with technical expertise but also with the mindset and competencies to drive impact. More than just a training programme, the Academy is a platform for shaping the next generation of African problem-solvers.
The Verraki Academy Report: A Blueprint for Bridging Africa’s Digital Talent Gap highlights the urgent need for system-wide reform and industry-aligned training. It identifies five core drivers of the talent gap, curriculum-to-industry disconnect, underfunded education, talent migration, infrastructure deficits, and the high cost of learning, and proposes Verraki’s integrated approach as a model for change.
At the heart of the Academy is experiential learning. Participants work on live projects, receive mentorship from Verraki’s seasoned consultants, and gain hands-on exposure to enterprise architecture, software engineering, agile delivery, and business applications. Beyond coding and technical mastery, the Academy nurtures leadership, communication, and client management skills, ensuring graduates are not just job-ready but impact-driven. Importantly, this training is provided at no cost, lowering barriers for deserving talent.
But Verraki’s vision goes beyond technology alone. With Advisory and Venture Academies in development, the firm is building a pipeline that spans consulting, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Through Verraki Ventures, the firm also invests in edtech startups like Skilladder, Flexit, Primerli, and Craydel; companies reshaping how Africans access, finance, and experience learning.
The Academy matters because it proves that transformation requires more than temporary fixes. By combining structured training, mentorship, and strategic partnerships, Verraki is building a replicable model that can help Africa unlock its demographic dividend.
The report makes one point clear: Africa’s young people are not short of ambition or potential. What they need is access, opportunity, and the right kind of preparation. Verraki Academy is a step toward ensuring that Nigeria does not just consume digital solutions but produces world-class talent that can compete globally.