Interswitch Expands Developer Academy with Largest Cohort Yet, Deepens Commitment to Africa’s Tech Talent Pipeline
Integrated payments and digital commerce company Interswitch has inducted its third and largest cohort into its Developer Academy, drawn from over 20,000 applicants, as part of its ongoing drive to strengthen Nigeria’s and Africa’s technology talent ecosystem through structured, industry-aligned training.
Interswitch, one of Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce companies, has announced the induction of the third and largest cohort of interns into its Developer Academy, reinforcing its long-term strategy to build globally competitive technology talent and deepen the region’s digital ecosystem.
The latest cohort was selected from more than 20,000 applicants following a rigorous multi-stage screening process that included technical assessments and interviews. The scale of applications underscores the growing demand for software engineering opportunities in Lagos, as well as Interswitch’s expanding role in talent development across Africa’s technology landscape.
The 9-month programme spans core engineering tracks including Backend Development, DevOps, Mobile Development, Frontend Engineering, and Quality Assurance. It combines structured theoretical instruction with hands-on experience, aimed at preparing participants for real-world engineering challenges in a fast-evolving global tech environment.
Commenting on the initiative, Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Interswitch, Mitchell Elegbe, said the programme reflects the company’s long-term, ecosystem-focused approach to talent development, particularly in addressing the global migration of skilled software engineers.
He noted that Interswitch is deliberately investing in building a sustainable pipeline of engineers capable of contributing both locally and globally, strengthening Nigeria’s position as a hub for world-class technical talent.
Also speaking, Group Chief Human Resources Officer, Franklin Ali, said the Developer Academy is designed not only to build technical capacity but also to instil discipline, adaptability, and workplace readiness in participants, preparing them for diverse career pathways across the tech ecosystem.
According to him, graduates of the programme may either transition into roles within Interswitch or pursue opportunities across fintechs, startups, and global technology firms, reflecting the programme’s broader impact on the talent pipeline.
The company further drew parallels between the trajectory of Nigeria’s entertainment industry and its ambitions for the technology sector, expressing confidence that Nigerian developers can achieve similar global recognition and influence.
To support the programme’s expansion, Interswitch has also established a dedicated training facility in Victoria Island, Lagos, which will serve as a central hub for the Developer Academy and related capacity-building initiatives.
The expansion of the Developer Academy underscores Interswitch’s long-term vision of strengthening Africa’s digital economy by consistently developing high-quality engineering talent and improving the overall resilience of the technology workforce across the continent.
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