WeThinkCode_
WeThinkCode_ is a South African non-profit coding academy that delivers a 16-month, tuition-free software development programme for NEET youth, producing work-ready graduates placed at South African corporates across multiple campuses and a new Kenya operation.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersJohannesburg, South Africa
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What WeThinkCode_ does
WeThinkCode_ is a South African non-profit company (NPC) and public benefit organisation (PBO) that operates a tuition-free, 16-month full-time software development academy targeting youth classified as NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) who have high aptitude for coding but no prior programming experience. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Johannesburg, the academy delivers an NQF (National Qualifications Framework) Level 6 Occupational Certificate in Software Engineering accredited by QCTO, with specialised electives in data engineering (Spatialedge), cloud computing (Koedr/AWS), blockchain (Africa Blockchain Club), automation QA (System Verification), mobile development, and systems integration. The curriculum is built on a proprietary peer-to-peer learning methodology and a custom learning management system, and it has been integrated with Meta's Llama AI tools and capstone Innovation Challenges. Across approximately ten years of operation, the academy has produced 1,800+ graduates with a reported 91% placement rate (86% lifetime since inception) and an average graduate starting salary of R240,000 per year (top 5% of South African earners).
The business model is entirely grant- and sponsorship-funded: students pay no tuition, and operating income is derived from foundation grants (Google.org $2M in 2025, Sage Foundation, DGMT, Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, Momentum Metropolitan Foundation, Caterpillar Foundation), public sector funding (IDC, Jobs Fund, Gauteng City Region Academy), and corporate partners (MTN, Absa, BBD, FNB, Vodacom, Yoco, BCX, Mukuru). Historical disclosed funding rounds include approximately $4.4M from Business Connexion in 2017, ~$609K from E Squared Investments in 2021, and the $2M Google.org grant in 2025. Distribution is via direct on-campus delivery at Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, plus five embedded TVET (Technical Vocational Education and Training) college partnerships (Ekurhuleni West, Central Johannesburg, South Cape, and others), reaching approximately 600 learners annually across seven campuses in South Africa and, as of 2025, a Kenya expansion via Moringa School. Recent product extensions include a 40-hour Generative AI course for non-technical professionals (February 2026) and an IDC Social Employment Fund programme targeting 44,000 youth.
The organisation is led by an incoming CEO Ashmita Singh (effective January 2026), succeeding Nyari Samushonga who moved to Executive Chairperson of the Board after leading the academy since 2019. The senior team is reported to be majority alumni and majority women, and includes a Chief Commercial Officer, Chief Technology Officer, Chief of Staff, Directors of Operations, Finance, Public Partnerships, and Campuses, and a Commercials Lead. The operating model combines recruitment via aptitude testing and selection bootcamps, tuition-free training, and a four-month internship placement pathway that feeds graduates into South African corporates and, increasingly, into applied AI roles.
WeThinkCode_ firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- WeThinkCode_
- Legal name
- WeThinkCode_ NPC
- Website
- https://wethinkcode.co.za
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- WeThinkCode_ is a South African non-profit coding academy that delivers a 16-month, tuition-free software development programme for NEET youth, producing work-ready graduates placed at South African corporates across multiple campuses and a new Kenya operation.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
WeThinkCode_ industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Software Development Training / Coding Bootcamp
- NAICS
- Computer Training (611420), Educational Services (611), Technical and Trade Schools (61151)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Software Engineering & Application Development Training (Languages, Frameworks, Testing) (BPAEANAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Software Development (Programming, Frameworks, Dev Tools) (EDABAFAA), Information Technology & Software (EDAAAPAB)
Keywords
Where WeThinkCode_ is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Johannesburg
- HQ country
- South Africa
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices4 records
Markets served
WeThinkCode_ business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Tuition-Free Training via Corporate Sponsorship: WeThinkCode_ operates as a registered non-profit company (NPC) and public benefit organisation (PBO) providing tuition-free technology education. Training is funded through corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and public sector partnerships. Students receive training at no cost and are placed into employment through partner companies.
- Google.org Grant: $2 million grant from Google.org to expand AI training programmes in South Africa and Kenya, targeting 12,000 learners with AI skills for software engineering and non-tech careers
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Multi-year contract | Free tuition-free software development programme |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
WeThinkCode_ product offering
Product offeringCore offering
WeThinkCode_ delivers a tuition-free, 16-month full-time Software Development Academy accredited at NQF Level 6 (Occupational Certificate in Software Engineering). It recruits aptitude-tested youth from underserved South African communities and trains them using a peer-to-peer learning methodology with industry-aligned electives (Data Engineering, Cloud Computing, Blockchain, Automation QA, Mobile, Systems Integration). Graduates are placed into employment through corporate partner hiring programs, with 91% achieving permanent employment.
Product overview
WeThinkCode_ is a tuition-free South African software development academy offering a 16-month full-time training program (NQF 6 Occupational Certificate in Software Engineering) as its core product. The academy provides specialized elective tracks including Data Engineering (with Spatialedge), Cloud Computing (with Koedr/AWS), Blockchain (with Africa Blockchain Club), Automation QA (with System Verification), Mobile Application Development, and Systems Integration. Additionally, WeThinkCode_ offers a 40-hour Generative AI Course for non-technical professionals, a four-month Internship Programme for graduate placement, and community-focused digital skills training through the IDC Social Employment Fund partnership. The academy operates across 7 campuses including TVET college partnerships, with the curriculum integrated with Meta's Llama AI tools.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- WomenThinkCode_: A community initiative launched to provide a supportive space for female students, fostering connection, collaboration, and confidence in tech. The initiative achieved gender parity within two years, ahead of the original three-year goal.
Products and services
- Software Development Academy A 16-month full-time, on-campus software development training programme accredited at NQF Level 6 (Occupational Certificate in Software Engineering by QCTO). Open to South African youth with high aptitude for software development but no prior coding experience. Delivered via aptitude-based selection and a peer-to-peer learning methodology, covering Python, Java, OOP, brownfield development, and industry-aligned electives. 91% of graduates are placed in permanent employment at an average starting salary of R240,000/year.
- Generative AI Course A 40-hour, two-week free Generative AI course for non-technical professionals in Kenya and South Africa, targeting sectors including HR, marketing, finance, healthcare, and education. Covers practical AI applications for writing, research, analysis, and problem-solving using AI tools. Targets 6,000 learners as part of the AI for non-tech careers stream with a 50% female participation goal.
- IDC Social Employment Fund Digital Skills Programme A free community-focused digital skills programme targeting 44,000 youth across South Africa, delivered by WeThinkCode_ students using income-backed learning pathways where students earn wages while upskilling peers in digital literacy and work-readiness training.
- TVET Partnership Programme Delivery of WeThinkCode_'s curriculum at public Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college campuses including Ekurhuleni West TVET College, Central Johannesburg College, and South Cape TVET College. Expands national access to software engineering training through public-private partnerships, currently supporting five TVET college locations and contributing to the academy's seven-campus footprint.
- Internship Programme A four-month internship programme placing WeThinkCode_ graduates into ICT, financial services, telecommunications, and retail sectors via corporate hiring partners. Designed to bridge the gap between training and permanent employment, supporting the academy's 91% post-graduation placement rate.
Quantifiable outcome
- 91% of graduates placed in permanent employment post-graduation
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use WeThinkCode_
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
WeThinkCode_ technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability6 records
Feature3 records
WeThinkCode_ partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and major.
- IDC Social Employment Fund (IDC-SEF)corePartnership to launch community-driven digital skills programme targeting 44,000 youth across South Africa. WeThinkCode_ students deliver digital literacy and work-readiness training within communities using income-backed learning pathways where students earn wages while upskilling peers.
- MetaflagshipIntegration of Meta's Llama AI tools and learning content directly into WeThinkCode_'s curriculum. Engaging 1,800+ students and alumni in capstone projects and a live Innovation Challenge focused on AI-powered healthcare solutions. Pilot at four campuses before scaling nationally.
- Moringa SchoolcoreKenyan partner for Google.org-funded AI training initiative, leading the Kenyan rollout of free AI upskilling for 3,600 Kenyan youth. Leverages Moringa's alumni network, grassroots partnerships, and regional expertise for inclusive access.
- Sage FoundationmajorPartnership to train NEET youth to become software developers as part of Sage Foundation's four flagship programmes empowering 3,900+ South Africans with digital skills over three years. Sage volunteers provide robotics and coding mentorship.
- Collective XmajorNon-profit co-invests with employers to support junior ICT talent through work-integrated learning. Currently supporting 65 WeThinkCode_ students on path-to-employment through in-demand digital skills training with practical real-world work experience over two years.
- SpatialedgemajorPartnership to deliver data engineering elective designed and delivered in close collaboration with Spatialedge. 90 students completed the elective, with 50 graduates employed as interns at MTN, OldMutual, Naggarro, BBD and Komatsu.
- System VerificationmajorSwedish global software QA company partnered to deliver Automation QA elective track using Test Star curriculum. Over 100 graduates from first Test Star class, with company employees volunteering as technical mentors and tutors.
- Ekurhuleni West TVET College (EWC)corePublic-private partnership piloting WeThinkCode_ curriculum at TVET campus. First cohort of 50 students graduated with 88% pass rate, 44 graduating with 56% already secured internships.
- Central Johannesburg TVET CollegecorePartnership supported by Absa, IDC, and Gauteng City Region Academy. Second graduating group in 2025 with 32 graduates. IDC sponsorship of Parktown Campus has produced 32 graduates with 20 placed at employers.
- South Cape TVET CollegecorePartnership to support 30 students at Hessequa Campus in Riversdale, backed by DGMT and Caterpillar Foundation. Critical step in broader strategy to replicate training model across SA in rural settings.
- MukurumajorFinancial services provider sponsoring five female student tuitions, serving as repeat hiring partner, providing mentorship through SheHacks hackathon events since 2022.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
WeThinkCode_ competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Andela: Pan-African tech-talent marketplace connecting trained African software engineers with global employers. Broader incumbent operating at significantly larger scale across the same African developer-talent thesis.
- African Leadership University (ALU): Pan-African higher-education institution offering tech-focused undergraduate and professional programmes with strong employer placement. Broader incumbent in African tech-talent development with overlapping employer networks.
Direct peers
- Moringa School: Kenya-based tuition-free coding bootcamp targeting underserved youth. Direct operational peer and current WeThinkCode_ delivery partner for the Google.org AI training rollout in Kenya.
- Umuzi: South African non-profit tech-academy offering tuition-free pathways into software development, data, and design for unemployed youth. Operates in the same South African talent market with similar employer-placement outcomes.
- Flatiron School: Established US coding bootcamp offering immersive software engineering programmes with employer-placement services. Comparable full-stack curriculum, employer-hire outcomes, and immersive training model.
- Holberton School: Global tuition-deferred software-engineering school using peer-to-peer project-based learning. Highly comparable pedagogy (peer learning, aptitude-friendly selection, employer-placement outcomes) and international scaling approach.
- ALX Africa: Pan-African tech-talent academy offering tuition-sponsored software engineering programmes with employer placement. Closest direct competitor in mission, funding model, and target learner across multiple African countries.
- HyperionDev: Africa- and UK-based online coding bootcamp offering part-time and full-stack software engineering courses with employer-placement support. Comparable online-plus-bootcamp hybrid model targeting African learners.
Regional players
- CodeSpace: South African software development academy offering intensive coding courses with career-support services. Direct regional competitor in the same South African tech-talent market.
Emerging players
- Generation: Global non-profit employment programme offering free tech and non-tech training with strong placement focus. Similar mission of moving unemployed youth into jobs, including software/IT tracks in multiple African markets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
WeThinkCode_ social profiles
Digital presenceWeThinkCode_ compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
WeThinkCode_ financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
WeThinkCode_ leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
WeThinkCode_ funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
WeThinkCode_ M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about WeThinkCode_
What does WeThinkCode_ do?
WeThinkCode_ delivers a tuition-free, 16-month full-time Software Development Academy accredited at NQF Level 6 (Occupational Certificate in Software Engineering). It recruits aptitude-tested youth from underserved South African communities and trains them using a peer-to-peer learning methodology with industry-aligned electives (Data Engineering, Cloud Computing, Blockchain, Automation QA, Mobile, Systems Integration). Graduates are placed into employment through corporate partner hiring programs, with 91% achieving permanent employment.
Is WeThinkCode_ a public or private company?
WeThinkCode_ is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was WeThinkCode_ founded?
WeThinkCode_ was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is WeThinkCode_ based?
WeThinkCode_ is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the Africa region.
How does WeThinkCode_ make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Tuition-Free Training via Corporate Sponsorship is the primary driver. The others are google.org Grant.
Who are WeThinkCode_'s main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Andela and African Leadership University (ALU). Direct peers are Moringa School, Umuzi, Flatiron School, Holberton School, ALX Africa and HyperionDev. CodeSpace is listed as a regional player. Generation is listed as an emerging player.
Does WeThinkCode_ have an API?
No public API is recorded for WeThinkCode_.
What industry is WeThinkCode_ in?
WeThinkCode_'s product category is Software Development Training / Coding Bootcamp. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEANAI, Software Engineering & Application Development Training (Languages, Frameworks, Testing), with a secondary code of EDABAFAA, Software Development (Programming, Frameworks, Dev Tools). Its NAICS code is 611420 and its SIC code is 8200.