Ken Ovienadu: Bridging Africa’s Tech Talent Gap with Education

By Salami Adeyinka

Across Africa’s growing tech scene, one person has quietly made a name for himself through hard work and purpose. His name is Ken Ovienadu, a software developer who believes that education and mentorship can change lives.

Ovienadu’s story began in a very different field. After earning a degree in Medical Laboratory Science in 2017, he became curious about how technology could make everyday systems better.

That curiosity slowly grew into a passion. He started learning software development on his own, taking online courses and working on small projects. Many nights were spent studying, experimenting, and figuring things out from scratch. Those moments shaped his focus and drive to keep improving.

“Moving from healthcare to technology was not easy,” Ovienadu says. “I had to start from the beginning and learn everything on my own while trying to apply it to real-life situations.” The experience taught him patience, resilience, and the habit of learning through challenges.

Today, he is known for his work on projects such as Fertitude, an AI-powered health solution that supports women’s reproductive wellbeing, and Upflex, a system that helps people find and manage workspaces in real time. But more than the technology itself, what keeps him going is the desire to help others grow.

“There are so many brilliant young Africans who can build amazing things if they have access to the right guidance and tools,” he says. “Education is the key that opens that door.”

Despite his interesting projects, Ken still finds time to mentor aspiring developers, lead workshops, and support education-based initiatives across Africa. He is also studying for a Master’s degree in Software Engineering while building systems that make learning easier for others. Through these efforts, he hopes to connect education with real opportunities and help young engineers find their purpose.

Ovienadu believes that Africa’s tech growth should include everyone. He often talks about the need to create space for women and underrepresented groups. “The best ideas come from different minds,” he says. “We cannot talk about innovation if we leave people behind.” This belief guides his work with startups and tech communities that focus on learning and inclusion.

He also believes that bridging the talent gap requires teamwork. “If we want real progress, we must connect learning with opportunity,” he explains. “Experienced engineers should mentor younger ones, startups should take in interns, and universities should include real-world experience in their programmes.”

Through his work and example, Ovienadu has become part of a new generation of African innovators who are shaping the future. His journey from healthcare to technology is more than a personal story; he sees it as a guide for others who want to turn curiosity into skill.

He emphasized that with mentorship, empathy, and leadership, he continues to inspire young developers to see education not as the end of learning but as the beginning of Africa’s digital future.