Founded as part of the African Leadership Group’s vision to develop 3 million ethical leaders by 2030, ALX Rwanda operates a state-of-the-art tech hub in Kigali, focused on equipping young Africans with a blend of technical and professional skills to thrive in the digital economy and become future leaders and entrepreneurs, without the barrier of costly traditional degrees.

Vogel’s visit was part of the organisation’s program to bring prominent industry leaders to inspire and empower the next generation of African tech innovators.

The tech guru, widely known as ’The Godfather of the Cloud’ for his pivotal role in developing Amazon Web Services (AWS), was accompanied by a team that included some members of the tech giant from Africa and beyond.

Speaking at the event, Vogels praised ALX’s scalable model, noting its growth from training 250 students in 2004 to 250,000 across Africa today.

“ALX gives people hope,” he said during a Q&A session moderated by ALX Rwanda Marketing Manager Jacinta Gitau. “It’s about creating a future for Africa’s youth, whether as software engineers or entrepreneurs, and building a foundation for a successful life.”

Vogels emphasised that ALX’s agile, skills-based approach meets global tech workforce demands more effectively than traditional four-year degrees. He cited his recent trip to Germany, where he noted 80,000 open IT positions as a case in point.

"The ALX model is what I would call a model for modern times of learning," he asserted.
The CTO challenged the students to apply technology to solve "the hardest problems that there are," particularly those unique to Africa, such as healthcare, food security, and economic stability.

Citing his documentary series Now Go Build, Vogels highlighted a startup in Indonesia that empowered smallholder farmers by providing digital identities to secure loans, a model he encouraged ALX learners to emulate.

“You understand your own problems best,” he said. “Africa is a big enough continent to build a really good business while doing good.”

Vogel advised students to embrace failure as a learning opportunity, prioritise customer-centric solutions, and consider operational, security, and cost factors from day one.

“Never stop learning, and don’t be afraid to experiment,” Vogels told the students, leaving them inspired to harness technology for a brighter, more inclusive future.

Nimie Chaylone, General Manager of ALX Rwanda and Kenya, underscored the importance of the visit, highlighting its alignment with ALX’s mission to develop world-class tech talent across the continent.

“Hosting Dr. Vogels showcases the high standard of talent we’re producing,” she said. “One of our alumni today shared that they secured an internship at Amazon in England after taking our AWS Cloud Computing course, a testament to ALX’s global impact.”

Chaylone highlighted ALX’s mission to train 5 million young Africans by equipping them with in-demand skills in software engineering, data science, and cloud computing, supported by partnerships with organisations like the Mastercard Foundation.

During the event, students and alumni presented innovative projects tackling pressing challenges across diverse sectors. Among them was Signverse, an AI-powered platform that translates text and speech into sign language using 3D characters and motion capture technology.

Another standout was Lifeline, a program dedicated to delivering affordable healthcare solutions by improving access to life-saving medications and clinical tests for African patients. Additionally, MediXR showcased its pioneering software, leveraging extended reality technology to transform medical education and training through immersive learning experiences.

Branice Kazira, an ALX Founder Academy alumna and one of the brains behind Signverse, explained that the application aims to address communication barriers faced by the 40 million deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals in Africa. So far, Signverse has achieved a 90% accuracy rate and built a database of 3,200 Kenyan sign language words and phrases.

With over 1,500 users testing its beta version in Kenya, Kazira’s project exemplifies the mission-driven innovation ALX champions.

In a post-event reflection, Kazira, a second-year software engineering student at the African Leadership, termed the session as “incredibly inspiring”.

“It was incredibly inspiring to learn from people who’ve shaped the global tech ecosystem,” she said. “Dr. Vogels reminded us of the importance of lifelong learning and approaching challenges with creativity and curiosity.”

She also credited ALX for equipping her with critical soft skills, particularly in communication and presentation, which have been pivotal in shaping her entrepreneurial mindset and confidence as she builds her future in tech.

Teddy Ntawe of Tuza Wellness Center also shared how the ALX program had been a transformative force in his personal and professional journey.

“ALX helped me grow into a bold, agile, and business-minded individual,” he said. “The biggest shift was in my confidence. I used to be quiet and unsure of myself. I never imagined I could become the outspoken, driven person I am today.”

ALX Rwanda offers a comprehensive range of programs designed to prepare learners for success in various areas. Its technical skills track includes in-demand courses such as Back-End Engineering, Front-End Engineering, AWS Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, and AI Career Essentials (AICE), equipping students with the tools to excel in the digital economy.

The professional foundations track focuses on developing essential workplace, communication, and leadership competencies through targeted training. In the creative disciplines, ALX is expanding its offerings to meet the rising demand of the creator economy, with programs in content creation, graphic design, and digital storytelling.

The entrepreneurship track is delivered through ALX Ventures, which supports aspiring business leaders through two specialised programs: the Freelancer Academy (FLA), designed for independent professionals, and the Founders Academy (FA), tailored for those building startups.

Lastly, the Pathway Program serves recent high school graduates seeking scholarships, equipping them with academic foundations, leadership development, and career readiness skills to help them transition into higher education or the workforce with confidence.

Werner Vogels, Amazon’s Chief Technology Officer and Vice President, accompanied by his team, visited the ALX Rwanda Tech Hub at Deco Center in Kigali on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.

Werner Vogels is widely known as “The Godfather of the Cloud” for his pivotal role in developing Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Vogel’s visit was part of the organisation’s program to bring prominent industry leaders to inspire and empower the next generation of African tech innovators.

Vogels praised ALX’s scalable model, noting its growth from training 250 students in 2004 to 250,000 across Africa today.

Vogels and his team engaged with students and alumni in a session that showcased the transformative potential of technology education in Africa.

Nimie Chaylone, General Manager of ALX Rwanda and Kenya, underscored the importance of the visit, highlighting its alignment with ALX’s mission to develop world-class tech talent across the continent.

The Amazon CTO was accompanied by a team that included some members of the tech giant from Africa and beyond.

During the event, students and alumni presented innovative projects tackling pressing challenges across diverse sectors.

Branice Kazira, an ALX Founder Academy alumna and one of the brains behind Signverse, was among innovators who showcased tech projects.

Some of the beneficiaries of the ALX Rwanda programmes during an interactive panel discussion.

ALX Rwanda Marketing Manager Jacinta Gitau addresses the visitors and students.