As Africa continues to grapple with widening skills gap in Artificial Intelligence and data, Victoria Ogunsanya, chief technology officer and co-founder of TechNovelle in this interview with BusinessDay’s Wasiu Alli shares what the firm is doing to address the shortfall.
What inspired TechNovelle’s new AI & Data Cohort initiative?
TechNovelle’s AI & Data Cohort was born out of a very real gap we saw across Africa. The continent has so much talent, but too little access. We partnered with DataCamp to give underserved individuals, especially across Africa, free access to hands-on, career-relevant skills in data science and AI. But it’s more than just access. We’ve built a structured path, a support system, and a community that ensures learners don’t feel isolated while navigating this high-impact field.
There are many online learning platforms out there. What makes this cohort different?
Most platforms give you content. We offer context. The curriculum is tailored for relevance, mentorship is built-in, and learners work on real-world projects that reflect local and global challenges. As CTO, I focused on designing a technical journey that mirrors what it takes to thrive in a data or AI role today from foundational learning to portfolio development. We also emphasized mentorship. We brought in top-tier data and AI professionals, many of whom are African, to guide participants. Representation matters. Seeing someone who looks like you doing incredible work in AI changes the way you see your own potential.
Why launch this now? Why does Africa need this at this moment?
Africa is rich in talent but underrepresented in global tech innovation. This moment is both an opportunity and a warning. We can either invest in developing our own pipeline or accept being sidelined. This program is us choosing the former ensuring African professionals are not just users of technology but builders and leaders in its evolution. The launch of TechNovelle’s AI & Data Cohort comes at a pivotal time.
As artificial intelligence and data technologies rapidly reshape industries across the globe, the question of who gets to build, lead, and benefit from these shifts has never been more urgent. For a continent like Africa, rich in talent but often underrepresented in global tech conversations, this moment presents both a risk and an opportunity.
The co-founders of TechNovelle, Victoria Ogunsanya, Dorcas Oyebode and Rianat Abbas, are leaning into the opportunity. By creating a structured, high-quality pipeline for AI and data talent, they are ensuring that African professionals aren’t just consuming the future, they’re helping shape it. The initiative signals a shift in how tech education is delivered, placing African voices and early-career talents at the center of one of the most important transformations of our time.
Can you walk us through the structure of the program?
Absolutely. Participants get access to DataCamp Premium, which is a global-standard platform. On top of that, we’ve layered in: A career-aligned curriculum: from data analysis to machine learning, Weekly mentorship sessions, projects, Slack community check-ins and peer collaborations.
It’s not just “learn and go.” We monitor progress, offer feedback, and help build portfolios that can land jobs or internships. Think of it as a tech bootcamp but one that’s inclusive, free, and rooted in community.
What kind of impact are you expecting from this first cohort?
We’re looking forward to seeing amazing stories of participants who had never coded running predictive models. Collaboration across countries Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana to solve real challenges etc. We also expect ripple effects: better job placements, increased confidence, and more African representation in data and AI spaces. Most importantly, we’re planting seeds for community-led innovation.
What was your personal motivation for leading the technical side of this project?
Honestly, I was that person without access. I remember what it was like to want to learn, to be curious, but not know where to start or who to turn to. That’s why I’ve dedicated so much of my work through cybersecurity, tech leadership, and now education to mentoring others. I wanted to help create something I wish I had: a program that not only teaches but believes in you. The fact that I now get to help shape that journey for others is deeply fulfilling.
Who exactly is this cohort for?
It’s designed for early-career professionals trying to transition into tech, university students who need practical exposure, women who’ve been sidelined in tech spaces, anyone in Africa with the passion and the drive but not the privilege of resources. We’re making sure the application process is fair and accessible. We’re also intentional about inclusion whether that’s in terms of gender, location, or background.
There’s a growing conversation around the ethics and responsibility of AI. How does TechNovelle position itself on that front?
That’s an important question. Building technical skills is great, but it’s equally vital to understand why we build and who it serves. Our program incorporates modules on ethical AI, data responsibility, and the societal impact of tech. We want our participants to be not just capable data scientists but thoughtful, ethical innovators who consider the broader implications of their work.
What’s next for TechNovelle?
We’re scaling. Cohort 2.0 is already in the works. We’re expanding partnerships, seeking local sponsors, and integrating more specialization paths AI for health, data for governance, etc. We’re also looking at placing top-performing participants into internship pipelines with partner organizations. The dream is to eventually turn this into a pan-African tech accelerator for underserved communities.
