Building Africa's AI talent: Pariti partners with Nvidia

Africa's tech ecosystem has been gaining momentum in recent years, drawing the attention of top tech companies worldwide. Nvidia, a leading tech giant, has announced plans to train 2,000 tech developers in partnership with Nairobi-based startup Pariti. CNBC Africa's Ericks spoke with Yacob Berhane, the CEO of Pariti, to discuss the impact of this initiative and the future of Africa's tech workforce. Pariti, an AI-powered marketplace, leverages its community to make referrals and facilitate connections for job opportunities. By analyzing these referrals, their artificial intelligence identifies the necessary skill sets that employers seek. This valuable feedback loop not only benefits the referrers but also helps educate the entire Pariti community on optimizing talent matches. With over 9,000 members from 40 different African countries, Pariti has built a diverse and vibrant community. Berhane highlighted the significance of empowering the community and discussed their recent collaboration with Nvidia. By joining Nvidia's inception program for AI startups, Pariti found a way to integrate community feedback into a collaborative AI model that enhances the recruitment process. The partnership aims to train 2,000 engineers in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science through Nvidia's Deep Learning Institute. The ultimate goal is to place these trained professionals within Pariti's marketplace, bridging the gap between job seekers and hiring managers. Berhane expressed excitement about Nvidia's interest in Africa, emphasizing the continent's potential for growth and innovation. He praised Nvidia's commitment to providing training certificates and shared his optimism about the partnership's impact on Africa's youth demographic. Berhane estimates that the project could generate up to $100 million in salaries for the 2,000 engineers and potentially create $250 billion in salaries by 2030 if scaled to reach a larger population. He commended Nvidia's strategic approach in the tech market, highlighting the company's dedication to building long-lasting and successful ventures. Looking ahead, Pariti aims to involve various regions across Africa in the training program, fostering inclusivity and accessibility for aspiring tech professionals. While starting with 2,000 engineers, Berhane envisions expanding the initiative to meet the growing demand for tech skills in Africa. In his parting words, Berhane emphasized the transformative impact of empowering Africa's talent and bridging the global talent gap through innovative partnerships. By showcasing Africa's untapped potential, initiatives like the one with Nvidia can revolutionize the perception of the continent's capabilities and open doors to endless opportunities.