Over the past decade, the way companies hire talent has fundamentally changed. Remote work, AI-driven hiring, and the demand for specialized skills have reshaped the global workforce. One company at the forefront of this transformation is Andela, a unicorn startup that has connected top technical talent from emerging markets with global employers.
I recently sat down with Jeremy Johnson, co-founder of Andela, to reflect on their journey—from a small startup to a $1.5 billion company helping businesses hire top engineers from 136 countries. Here are three key insights from our conversation.
1️⃣ The Talent Shortage is a Global Challenge
By 2030, the global talent shortage is projected to reach $449.7 billion in unrealized output. While companies struggle to fill roles, millions of skilled professionals in emerging markets remain underemployed.
Andela solves this mismatch by leveraging AI-driven talent matching to connect businesses with pre-vetted engineers from around the world. According to Jeremy, “Brilliance is evenly distributed, but opportunity is not.” By bridging this gap, Andela has helped companies hire faster, reduce costs, and access untapped talent pools.
2️⃣ Strategic Partnerships Drive Growth
Andela’s success wasn’t built in isolation. Early partnerships with Google, Mastercard, and leading tech companies helped them scale. In 2017, Andela collaborated with Google to train 110,000 developers across Africa, strengthening the ecosystem and fueling its own talent pipeline.
Jeremy emphasized that ecosystem-building is critical: “To scale impact, you need strong partnerships—whether with governments, enterprises, or investors.”
3️⃣ Profitability and Social Impact Can Coexist
Unlike traditional outsourcing firms, Andela isn’t just about filling roles—it’s about creating sustainable career paths.
By securing high-paying jobs for developers, Andela doesn’t just grow—it transforms entire communities. The impact is measurable: developers who join Andela often go on to launch startups, mentor others, and reinvest in their local economies.
The Future of Work is Borderless
As the world moves toward AI-driven hiring and distributed teams, companies that embrace remote talent will have a competitive edge.
For more insights, watch a snippet of the interview here:
I’m also writing a book, Institutional Entrepreneurship in African Fintech (INSEAF), exploring the strategies behind Africa’s most successful startups. Join the waitlist: https://www.gloryenyinnaya.com/inseaf/
What’s the biggest hiring challenge you see today? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
