Zoho, a global technology company, has expanded its Young Creators Programme (YCP) across East Africa, empowering students and professionals with hands-on digital skills in low-code application development.
Through workshops conducted across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Madagascar, Zoho has trained more than 150 participants to design and deploy business-ready applications using Zoho Creator, the company’s low-code development platform. These workshops were conducted in partnership with local institutions in each of the countries.
“Through the Young Creators Programme, the Regional Manager, Zoho East Africa, Veerakumar Natarajan, stressed that the company is helping students and professionals across East Africa gain the tools and confidence to turn their ideas into impactful digital solutions.
“Our goal is to make technology education accessible and practical, empowering young innovators to solve local challenges and shape Africa’s digital future,” said Natarajan in a press statement.
Notably, each YCP workshop introduced participants to the power of AI-assisted app development using Cocreator, Zoho Creator’s built-in AI assistant powered by Zia. Attendees learnt to build fully functional applications simply by describing their ideas in natural language.
In addition, the sessions explored Zoho Creator’s core capabilities—forms, reports, workflows, pages, and analytics—before progressing to advanced topics such as integrations, UI customization, mobile deployment, and solution management.
Equally, the initiative encouraged participants to discover how low-code tools could drive entrepreneurship, accelerate digital transformation, and inspire innovation within their communities.
In Kenya, Zoho hosted a workshop at EldoHub, which attracted 42 attendees, including developers, entrepreneurs, and professionals eager to explore low-code development.
Among the participants was Leonard Bett, one of Kenya’s top steeplechase athletes, who attended to build a digital platform to help manage and analyse athletic performance.
On the other hand, Sarah Towet, Co-Founder Programmes Lead, Eldohub noted that Zoho’s low-code platform opens opportunities for anyone to innovate, regardless of their background.
“Our partnership demonstrates how technology can empower young people and professionals alike to create impactful solutions in their communities,” stated Towet.
In Uganda, Zoho partnered with Analytics Business Centre, a Zoho-authorised partner, to deliver a Women in Software Engineering Uganda edition of YCP. The workshop featured 43 attendees, including students, professionals, and entrepreneurs from diverse sectors.
Importantly, the session focused on empowering women to leverage low-code development for business innovation, process automation, and digital entrepreneurship—reflecting Zoho’s broader commitment to promoting inclusivity in the technology ecosystem.
Primera Muthoni, CEO & Founder Women in Software Engineering Uganda emphasized that their collaboration with Zoho aligns perfectly with their mission to upskill and empower women through technology.
“We are proud to see participants leave with confidence and ability to build apps that drive innovation and financial independence,” expressed Muthoni.
Similarly, Zoho’s East Africa expansion included its first-ever YCP in Tanzania, held at the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT). The workshop trained 24 computer science students in practical low-code app building and digital innovation techniques.
“This programme has given our students invaluable exposure to industry-grade tools. It complements our curriculum and helps prepare graduates to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving digital economy,” affirmed Dr. Haji Fimbombaya, Head of Department, Computer Studies – Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology.
In Madagascar, Zoho collaborated with its Belgian premium partner, BrainSolutions to conduct a training session in Antananarivo. BrainSolutions has a long-term collaboration with Inclusive Academy from Madagascar, upskilling youth in the region.
The event had 27 participants, many of whom were new to programming. The workshop helped them learn how to transform their ideas into functional applications through low-code technology.
“We are proud to witness the impact that initiatives like YCP can have on young talent in Madagascar,” expressed Anna Andruamialivelo, Tech Lead at BrainSolutions Madagascar.
She observed that collaborating with Zoho through BrainSolutions has allowed the Belgian firm to introduce accessible, practical, and high-value digital skills to participants who are eager to learn and innovate.
“Seeing beginners gain the confidence to transform their ideas into real applications using low-code tools has been truly inspiring. This partnership not only strengthens our local ecosystem but also opens new opportunities for the next generation of Malagasy developers,” stated Andruamialivelo.
Meanwhile, the Young Creators Programme is part of Zoho’s global initiative to foster digital literacy and innovation among youth. Since its launch in 2022, the programme has trained more than 4,000 participants worldwide, equipping them with practical skills to pursue technology-driven careers and entrepreneurial ventures.
By Michael Omondi
