Largest African Nations by Number of Software Engineers: Ranking the Top 10
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Africa is rapidly becoming a significant player in the global software development scene, with several countries making strides in the field. While the top three countries with the most software developers in 2024—as yet unspecified—are leading the pack, other nations are hot on their heels.
According to data from GitHub and Google, countries such as Brazil, Germany, and France have large active developer communities, although they were not listed among the top three in some reports. Nonetheless, countries like Nigeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Ghana, Morocco, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and South Africa are making their mark.
Nigeria, in particular, stands out as the top software capital in Africa. With a population of over 1.1 million developers in 2024—a 28% increase from the previous year—the country boasts a lively startup industry, young tech experts, and a thriving remote working culture.
Egypt, too, is a leading tech centre on the continent, thanks to its large number of developers and its geographic advantage. Many young Egyptians are proficient in English, making them attractive to international companies. The country's education system also contributes to the skills of its software developers, with leading universities and challenging engineering courses playing a significant role.
Tunisia, known for its importance in outsourcing and cybersecurity, benefits from its proximity to Europe and its multilingual population. However, many of its developers are seeking better opportunities abroad, a trend that reflects the fast-growing developer communities in countries like Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, and Uganda.
Ghana reported 30,000 developers in 2021, a figure that is likely to have grown significantly since then, given the 69.8% internet penetration the country achieved in 2024. Kenya's developer community has seen a 33% increase from 2023 to 2024, reaching over 393,000, and Morocco's GitHub developers increased more than tenfold from 2021 to 2024, reaching over 556,000.
Uganda's developer community is growing rapidly, driven by mobile-focused ideas and rising internet use. Tanzania is also investing in digital tools for healthcare and farming, while South Africa's developer community is one of the largest, with over 664,000 professionals in 2024—a 23% increase from the previous year.
In 2024, more than twice the number of software developers were in Egypt compared to 2023. Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Morocco, and Kenya together have more than 3.7 million software developers, compared to 716,000 professionals in Google's 2021 Africa report.
As Africa continues to develop its software development sector, these countries are poised to make a significant impact on the global stage. With their growing populations of skilled developers and their commitment to digital innovation, it's clear that Africa is a continent to watch in the world of software development.
