Itot Africa, a company based in the DRC, helps businesses, SMEs, and entrepreneurs in Africa and the US with digital content, code, programming, training, and e-learning.
Itot Africa is an ed-tech startup based in Lubumbashi that started in 2017. It recently got EUR 54,000 (US$59,000) in matching funds from the Catalytic Africa project, which helped support an investment made by DRC Impact Angels in the startup.
Okademy, the startup’s main product, is a platform for online learning, on-demand training, and keeping track of your job. Itot Africa also helps its clients become more digital by making technology solutions with the help of its network of connected and trained students.
“We serve three main types of people,” says co-founder Samy Mwamba: “those who want to fill a personal knowledge gap or follow technological trends; those who want to meet recruitment requirements or find work; and professionals who want to improve their skills.”
“Our comprehensive services include training, recruitment, and software development to help businesses transform digitally. Alumni deliver tailored answers to corporate needs. We also recruit and place competent experts for firms needing Human Resources using our extensive database.
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The start of Itot Africa
Mwamba began Itot Africa by saying the team had uncovered a big problem in the Democratic Republic of Congo: a severe absence of digital culture, skills, and opportunities in a country where 70% of the population is unemployed, including 65% of the young.
He remarked, “This divide went as far as differences in knowledge, employment, and open communication between IT players.”
Our unique approach was to launch Itot Africa, whose principal purpose is to close this gap. We were the first in the country, so we had little competition. Even though our novel strategy inspired other similar ventures, national competition is still low.
Before the latest investment, the company was self-funded and had taught over 7,000 people, 60% women, and completed 300 projects. It also employs over 100 DRC residents and has offices in Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Goma, and Kolwezi.
Mwamba added, “These achievements resonate with our commitment to fostering digital culture and inclusivity, contributing to the socio-economic development of our nation.”
Our company has domestic and worldwide trust and recognition. We’ve worked with local and international clients from Canada, France, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, getting favorable media attention and beneficiary feedback.
With its “restaurant-for-the-brain” franchise model, Mwamba is expanding Itot Africa into Rwanda, Kenya, and Senegal.
“The positive reception of our training and IT services, both in our established markets and from potential customers elsewhere, underlines the viability of our model,” he said.
“This success has inspired us to expand into other African cities and countries. We are exploring geographical and product diversification options to further our commitment to overcoming the continent’s digital skills gap.