Connecting Goldman Sachs Engineers and Africa’s STEM Leaders

As part of the Africa Recruiting Initiative (ARI), Goldman Sachs hosted a series of events with university professors, educators, business leaders and entrepreneurs across the technology industry in Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana. The guests represented institutions driving technological advancements on the continent through direct industry developments or education.

ARI was established in 2017 to recruit engineering talent from across the African continent for summer internships at the firm. Now in its fourth year, the program has connected Goldman Sachs with local universities and educational institutions to reach and attract students from across Africa’s top institutions for opportunities at the firm’s London and Hong Kong offices.             

As with previous years, the firm organized industry dinners in each country to bring together leaders from the technology, business and educational sectors to give Goldman Sachs leaders a better understanding of the local landscape. Discussions centered on opportunities for, and challenges with, cultivating STEM talent. A few industry professionals cited their own personal experiences working abroad, which they credited with enabling their success launching businesses upon returning to the region. With booming economies and a fast-growing technology sector, Africa presents huge economic opportunity.

Our university partners acknowledged the impact ARI has had in bridging the theoretical aspects of the classroom with practical experiences in the workplace. For the local economy, the internship opportunities offered by ARI also provide an upskilled pool of talent for a demanding workforce environment.

The success of the ARI program hinges on engagement with local organizations. Sitting down with STEM educators and business leaders not only enables Goldman Sachs to extend appreciation to local partners, but also serves to cement deeper relationships and creates the opportunity to better understand the educational landscape in these countries and the future of the technology industry in Africa. “Establishing connections with industry leaders and other people in the region who are invested in the future of youth and the economic growth of the continent was incredible. It is also immensely helpful for us as we strategize on how to continue our engagement with the diverse global talent pool” said Ally, a member of the Goldman Sachs team who was on the trip.