5 Best Coding Schools in Kenya 2022

Coding Bootcamps have risen in popularity across the world and Kenya is no exemption. More companies are willing to hire graduates of 6-month coding bootcamps regardless of their university degree or previous careers. So long as you understand the key technologies and skills needed for a particular job, companies are willing to take a bet on you. This is why coding schools are quite popular and why you should think of enrolling in one if you want to upskill into a career in tech.

Where can you learn programming in Kenya?

In Kenya, here are some of the best programming schools where you can learn Data Science, Software Development, Cybersecurity, Database Administration, or even Blockchain Development in less than 12 months:

1. Zindua School

Zindua (previously Chaptr Bootcamps) happens to be the first coding school in Kenya to offer income-share agreements for anyone seeking to learn Data Science or Web Development. Through their income-share agreements, you pay only what you can afford, learn first and pay the rest once you are earning. Their programs are entirely virtual (so you have no excuse regardless of where in Kenya you are) and they combine both curated content and live workshops by expert technical mentors. However, from our chat with graduates, Zindua’s biggest strength is its focus on projects with students required to work on weekly projects as well as a capstone project every 5 weeks. By the end of their 35-week bootcamp, you’ll have 7 solid projects to showcase to employers. More importantly, all Zindua programs are based on certification exams from Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services which also gives you an edge in the job market. You can learn more about Zindua and its programs on their official website.

2. Moringa School

Moringa happens to be one of the pioneer coding bootcamps in Kenya. Started in 2014, the school has thousands of graduates with one of the best job outcomes in the market. Moringa primarily offers Software Development programs but has recently started offering Data Science given the growing demand for Data Science talent in the country. While Moringa School tends to be more expensive than other schools on this list, there’s no denying the rigour and quality of their programs. You also get to work on corporate projects before getting job placement support for up to 12 months after graduating any of their programs. To learn more about their programs, visit their website.

3. Zalego Academy

Unlike other schools on this list, Zalego goes beyond the typical coding school model by offering an accredited diploma program. As a student you can choose to enrol in their Skills Nurturing Programs (closest to a typical coding bootcamp), Upskilling Programs (ideal for industry professionals looking to learn additional skills), or go all out and join their Diploma program. Zalego is categorically known for its mobile development program, but they have grown into other career pathways including Web Development, Data Science, and Data Administration. To learn more about Zalego Academy, visit their website.

4. Ubunifu School

Not everyone learns coding for the sake of employment, some just want the right skills to venture into tech entrepreneurship. If you are entrepreneur, then Ubunifu is the perfect coding school for you. On top of the technical skills you gain, Ubunifu includes an entrepreneurship module in their programs. At the end of the program, they also give graduates additional support to start their tech ventures. The school offers programs in Data Science, Software Development, Blockchain Development and even Robotics. To learn more about their programs and unique entrepreneurial support, visit their website.

5. African Leadership Accelerator (ALX)

ALX is not your typical coding school. Primarily, the African Leadership brand seeks to build the future leaders of Africa. The team behind ALX has successfully built African Leadership Academy and African Leadership University, both pretty established educational institutions. To serve learners who want a shorter term leadership training experience. ALX was founded with Kenya as one of its key markets. However, ALX has also partnered with the Holberton School of Computer Science to offer tech programs in Data Science and Software Development. They might be rather new to the market but their brand is not new and already quite respectable across Africa. Just like Chaptr Bootcamps, ALX also offers income-share agreements to students with a commitment to upskill more youth into tech regardless of their income-class or family background. To learn more about ALX, visit their website.

In Conclusion

Coding schools are extremely popular options for students looking for careers in tech but do not want to go through a typical university program. They are also a good way for university graduates and even those in the workforce to upskill into emerging tech careers. Choosing coding schools is a difficult task as you want to gauge their job outcomes, program costs, the curriculum and even what certifications they offer. However, most coding schools are gradually willing to offer deferred tuition through income-share agreements so that even those who cannot afford their fees can join and eventually get a job in tech.

If you think this still isn’t a viable option for you as an individual, self-placed learning on massive open online course platforms like Udemy and Coursera are still good ways to learn technical skills. I also would not underlook the value of YouTube tutorials as well as websites with open-source content such as W3 Schools and FreeCodeCamp.

Chaptr Global is partnering with coding schools in Kenya to make income-share agreements a financing option for numerous students who cannot afford tuition fees for any particular program. Visit our program page to explore schools and programs where you can pay what you can afford first, learn, and pay the rest once you are earning.