Today, Google hosted software developers and technical industry professionals to a full-day event of talks and workshops in Nairobi.
The Google Sandbox program seeks to activate partnerships to deepen relationships within the local tech community and bring first-hand experiences of Google to industry talent in communities around the world—particularly those untapped by the tech industry.
Through an immersive environment of collaboration, innovation, testing, and learning, Sandbox experiences showcase Google’s technology and culture, provide exposure to Googlers and career opportunities, and support professional development.
Google’s Head of Developer Ecosystem in SSA, John Kimani, describes the event as a networking event for Software developers that also strengthens Google’s engagement with talent in Kenya.
“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 made a commitment to train 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,” adds John.
The event engaged talent and brought together partners and professionals from across the industry to connect and build long term partnerships with Google. This comes nearly a month after Google Kenya celebrated its 15th anniversary since opening its Africa Office in Kenya at an event presided by H.E President William Ruto.
Country Director for Eastern Africa, Agnes Gathaiya says Africa-based software engineers will create transformative products and services for people in Africa and around the world. “At Google, we believe that in order to build for everyone, we need a diversity of perspectives and ideas to have better discussions, decisions, and outcomes,” says Gathaiya.
The Sandbox program builds on the development term “sandbox,” as an environment for testing, experimentation and learning. It aims to engage and support local tech communities and partners that have been previously untapped by Google, with the goal of fostering connections between Google and these communities, inspiring communities to collaborate and innovate, and branding Google as an employer of choice for underrepresented talent.