Nigeria’s fintech powerhouse Moniepoint Inc has renewed its pledge to strengthen the continent’s technology talent ecosystem by formally opening applications for the second cohort of its flagship DreamDevs initiative. The programme aims to groom and nurture young Nigerian graduates into industry-ready tech professionals capable of thriving in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
At a time when Africa’s tech industry continues to grapple with a shortage of skilled engineers, Moniepoint’s expanded effort reflects a growing corporate commitment to skills development and job creation. The company is championing a vision that trains, supports, and ultimately employs emerging talent, while also contributing to national goals around technical education and economic inclusion.
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DreamDevs targets next-generation engineers
The DreamDevs initiative is designed as a national talent search for software engineers from universities and polytechnics across Nigeria. Eligible applicants include recent graduates in technology, computer science, engineering and related disciplines who already have foundational knowledge in programming languages like HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
From the pool of applicants, only 20 high-potential candidates will be selected each year to take part in an intensive nine-week training bootcamp. During this period, participants receive practical instruction and mentorship from experienced Moniepoint engineers, gaining real-world skills that are rare in conventional training settings.
Outstanding participants will advance into a six-month internship with Moniepoint. Those who excel during the internship stand a chance to be offered full-time employment with the fintech firm. This year, Moniepoint has set an even more ambitious goal of converting at least half of the cohort into full-time engineers, a clear sign of deeper investment in human capital.
Filling the gap in Africa’s tech workforce
Moniepoint’s commitment comes against the backdrop of a tech sector that struggles to find skilled local engineers at the pace required by rapid growth. The first DreamDevs cohort delivered four hires for Moniepoint – three interns and one full-time developer – confirming the programme’s potential as a high-impact talent pipeline.
Speaking on the significance of the programme, Moniepoint Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer Felix Ike emphasised that with the right opportunities and mentorship, young African tech talent can not only compete on a global scale but also lead innovation from the continent. He explained that DreamDevs is not simply about training, but about creating sustainable and long-term career pathways that underpin Africa’s digital economy.
The benefits extend beyond technical skills. Previous participants have highlighted how DreamDevs helped them gain familiarity with cloud technologies, process-driven teamwork and essential soft skills such as planning, organisation and workplace adaptability. Those are traits employers in global tech markets actively seek.
Connecting corporate, national and personal growth
DreamDevs does not operate in isolation. It dovetails with broader industry and government efforts to tackle the tech skills gap. For instance, Moniepoint plays a key role in the Federal Government’s Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, designed to equip millions of Nigerians with digital skills. While 3MTT emphasises large-scale training, DreamDevs provides a specialised progression from training to employment.
In addition, the initiative forms part of a larger Moniepoint talent development strategy that includes partnerships like HatchDev with NITHub Unilag, which annually produces hundreds of specialised developers across areas such as intelligent systems and IoT, and the Women-in-Tech programme now in its fifth year. These programmes are tailored to address multiple layers of training needs across different groups and skill levels.
Moniepoint’s approach reflects a growing recognition among African tech firms that solving the talent shortage requires more than traditional recruitment. It demands long-term investment, structured mentoring, alliances with educational institutions, and a clear bridge into career opportunities. This blend of private-sector initiative and alignment with national priorities is already creating tangible impact.
A personal story of transformation
The human face of this transformation is best seen in stories like that of Victor Adepoju, a member of the first DreamDevs cohort who is now a backend engineer with Moniepoint. Adepoju described the training experience as rigorous yet empowering, noting that it expanded his technical depth and improved his confidence in tackling complex tasks at work. His journey illustrates how targeted training and support can accelerate the careers of young Nigerians in competitive tech fields.
Such success stories do more than highlight individual achievement. They offer a model for how structured learning and hands-on experience can unlock potential that might otherwise go unnoticed. This approach also signals to international partners and investors that Nigeria’s tech talent can deliver real value locally and globally.
As the deadline for applications nears, Moniepoint is encouraging talented young Nigerians to apply and seize this rare opportunity to join a programme that combines education, mentorship, and career progression. The initiative reflects a broader belief that Africa’s future lies in its people, and that equipping them with relevant skills is key to unlocking a new era of innovation, employment and economic resilience.
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