With the increasing integration of the Apple ecosystem in Kenya and Africa, a specific skill set is becoming essential to support and sustain this growth. Apple’s market share in Africa stands at 13.7%, with Kenya at 4.43%, and both figures are expected to rise. While this presents exciting opportunities, it also raises a critical question. Can Africa sustain and scale this growth in the coming years?

The iOS ecosystem differs significantly from other platforms, not just in its user interface but also in the coding languages and development tools required. This creates a need for highly skilled professionals who can develop, maintain, and innovate within the Apple ecosystem.

Recognizing this, Strathmore University’s School of Computing and Engineering Sciences (SCES) set out to become a trailblazer in Apple’s ecosystem in Kenya. The university applied for and secured approval to become an Authorized Training Centre in 2024. While the process was rigorous and required patience, the school’s commitment and enthusiasm ensured success.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, but for Strathmore, this was a giant leap into the future. The first challenge was to train instructors who could lead the program. With relentless dedication, they underwent intensive training from Apple and became certified trainers.

Once the foundation was set, the first cohort of students embarked on their training. Over a six-week intensive program, they gained technical expertise in iOS development. Their journey culminated in a final project, where they applied their newly acquired skills to solve real-world challenges. One standout project was an insurance app that uses telematics to track driving behavior, generating customized policies based on driver habits. Such innovations have the potential to revolutionize the insurance industry and reshape how policies are structured.

On the 14th of March, several distinguished guests gathered to celebrate the graduation of the first cohort of Apple-certified developers. The event opened with a prayer by Father Jude Karuhanga, followed by a welcome address from Eng. Dr. Julius Butime, Dean, SCES. He reflected on the long journey toward becoming an Authorized Training Centre, highlighting the dedication and resilience required to achieve this milestone.

Dr. Vincent Ogutu, Strathmore Vice-Chancellor,  congratulated the graduates, emphasizing that they now hold the first-mover advantage in a rapidly growing industry. He stated that Strathmore is paving the way for other institutions, not as competitors but as partners, because the Kenyan market is vast and requires more trained professionals.

Jim Potts, Economic Counsellor at the U.S. Embassy, reinforced the global demand for these skills. He shared insights from Silicon Valley, where thousands of Kenyans already work within Apple’s ecosystem, many without formal training. He challenged the graduates to seize the opportunity and leverage their structured, world-class education to make an impact both locally and globally.

Eng. John Kipchumba Tanui, Principal Secretary for ICT, hailed the graduates as trailblazers opening new frontiers for Kenya. He emphasized that their success was the result of collaboration between the government, Apple, and academia, with Strathmore University playing a pivotal role. He also revealed that the Apple ecosystem is valued at over $1.1 trillion, presenting huge economic opportunities for Kenya if it produces highly skilled professionals.

With their certificates in hand, the graduates officially set out to shape the future of iOS development in Kenya and beyond. Strathmore University’s initiative has positioned Kenya as a key player in Apple’s global ecosystem, ensuring that local developers are equipped to innovate, compete, and thrive in an increasingly digital world.

As this program expands, one thing is certain, Kenya’s journey into the Apple ecosystem is just beginning and Strathmore University is leading the change.

Article written by David Kimathi