Leveraging Kenya's Developer Market for Internal Team Transition and Innovation
In today's rapidly evolving tech landscape, companies are continually seeking innovative ways to enhance their operational efficiency and market reach. One transformative strategy involves transitioning from an outsourced technology team to a robust internal team. This article explores how at SunCulture I leveraged the burgeoning developer market in Kenya, emphasizing internal promotions, local consulting, and strategic hires. This approach not only supports localized talent development but also fosters a high-velocity team aligned closely with business goals.
Building a High-Velocity Tech Team in Kenya
The transition to an internal tech team involved a meticulous strategy centered on three key pillars: promoting internal talent, engaging local consultants, and making strategic hires. This strategy proved instrumental in assembling a team adept at addressing specific technological and market demands promptly and efficiently.
Promoting Internal Talent
We recognized the potential within our existing oteam that worked within or where adjacent to the tech vertical, identifying individuals who demonstrated leadership qualities and a deep understanding of our business needs. These team members were offered roles that allowed them to lead projects and mentor new hires, thereby retaining valuable institutional knowledge and fostering a culture of innovation.
Engaging Local Consultants
Local consultants were brought on board to bridge the gap between us finding what makes us tick and how we develop our engineering culture and immediate velocity. We leveraged high expertise local consultants to achieve immediate results so that business stakeholders would not notice an appreant drop in delivery velocity and loose trust in the transition.
Strategic Internal Hires
To solidify our team, we strategically hired top talent from within Kenya's vibrant tech community. These individuals brought fresh perspectives and specialized skills, particularly in emerging technologies such as machine learning and IoT (Internet of Things), which were vital for our new initiatives.
Key Achievements of the Internal Tech Team
The transition to an internal team has led to several significant achievements, underscoring the effectiveness of our strategy:
Machine Learning Powered Credit Platform
Our internal team led the development and release of a cross-country, machine learning-powered credit platform. Managing a 30M USD portfolio with loans ranging from 2-3 years, this platform is an industry first and serves as a major catalyst for growth.
IoT Device Management Platform
We deployed a next-generation IoT device management platform that streams 0.5 TB of data monthly. This platform plays a crucial role in validating carbon credits and is projected to generate 34M USD in revenue over the next seven years.
Customer App Launch
The launch of our customer app resulted in 10,000 monthly active sessions, providing users with a seamless and user-friendly experience. This success is a testament to our team’s ability to understand and implement user-centric solutions.
Engineering and Sales Apps
Our team spearheaded the development of IoT-enabled solutions for engineering and sales, significantly enhancing field team productivity and collaboration, which in turn improved project delivery timelines.
Expansion into New Markets
Led by our internal team, we successfully expanded our digital operations into Uganda and Ivory Coast, demonstrating our capability to scale solutions across different geographic locations.
ERP System Implementation
The team managed the delivery of a next-generation ERP system that has been crucial in unlocking growth and streamlining operations.
Strategic Partnerships
Our internal team has successfully managed the integration of strategic partnerships, collaborating with external organizations to seamlessly integrate their services and technologies into our offerings.
Conclusion
The transition from an outsourced to an internal tech team in Kenya exemplifies how strategic human resource management and local talent utilization can lead to substantial business growth and technological innovation. By fostering a committed internal team, we have not only achieved remarkable milestones but also set a sustainable path for future growth. This strategy can serve as a model for other businesses looking to leverage local talent markets to enhance their technological capabilities and market presence..
