Congo's Edtech ITOT Africa Upskilling Emerging Tech Workforce

Founded in 2017 by Congolese software engineer Samy Mwamba, ITOT Africa is a Lubumbashi-based edtech and digital training company on a mission to create employment by upskilling Africa’s emerging tech workforce. Through its platform OKADEMY and related services—covering web and mobile development, cybersecurity, e-commerce, and cloud computing—the company equips individuals, SMEs, and entrepreneurs with market-ready digital skills and solutions.

ITOT Africa has made significant strides in bridging the digital skills gap in the DRC and beyond. It has trained thousands of learners—both in-person and online—and placed over 150 people in digital jobs or freelance work through its talent network.

In July 2023, the startup unlocked €54,000 in matching funds from Catalytic Africa, backed by DRC Impact Angels, to expand into key mining-city markets and enable remote work across Francophone Africa.

While ITOT Africa navigates the complex local landscape of digital access, the business has earned statewide and international recognition for its innovative approach to training and job creation. Its work reflects a new vision for digital work in Africa—building talent, creating jobs, and advancing inclusion.

With Mwamba at the helm, the company is poised to deepen its collaboration with industry, scale its online training to multiple countries, and continue redefining what digital empowerment can look like in Central Africa.