Google Hosts Developers and Industry Experts to its Sandbox Program in Nairobi
Google today hosts software developers and technical industry professionals in Nairobi as part of its Sandbox program to discuss career options and share best practices.
The day-long event aims to activate partnerships to deepen relationships within the local tech community and to bring first-hand Google experiences to industry talent in communities around the world, particularly those underserved by the tech industry. hosts
Also, the sandbox experiences showcase Google’s technology and culture, provide exposure to Googlers and career opportunities, and support professional development through an immersive environment of collaboration, innovation, testing, and learning.
John Kimani, Google’s Head of Developer Ecosystem in Sub-Saharan Africa, describes the event as part of Google’s larger effort to support and contribute to Kenya’s broader tech talent ecosystem.
The event attracted talent and brought together partners and professionals from various industries to connect and form long-term partnerships with Google.
This comes nearly a month after Google Kenya celebrated its 15th anniversary after opening its Africa Office in Kenya, which was presided over by H.E. President William Ruto.
Furthermore, the Sandbox program is based on the development term “sandbox,” which refers to a place for testing, experimenting, and learning.
It seeks to engage and support previously untapped local tech communities and partners to foster connections between Google and these communities, inspire communities to collaborate and innovate, and brand Google as an employer of choice for underrepresented talent.
Highlighting Google’s achievements since it opened its first African office in Nairobi in 2007, John Kimani said “Since we opened our first office in Africa here in Nairobi in 2007, we have helped to strengthen an Internet ecosystem in Africa that is vibrant and self-sufficient in the long term. In 2017, we committed to training 100,000 developers across Africa, and through our Google Africa Developer Scholarship program, we have helped train more than 105,000 developers. This engagement is just one part of our overarching work to support and contribute to the broader tech talent ecosystem.”
Agnes Gathaiya, Country Director for Eastern Africa on her part says Africa-based software engineers will create transformative products and services for people in Africa and around the world. “At Google, we believe that to build for everyone, we need a diversity of perspectives and ideas to have better discussions, decisions, and outcomes.”