Andela CEO on how the shift to remote work is accelerating its expansion plans

Andela, a leading talent marketplace for connecting brilliance and opportunity, has recently announced a global expansion into Latin and South America. This strategic move comes as the world witnesses a significant shift towards remote work amid the ongoing pandemic. CEO Jeremy Johnson highlights the company's commitment to empowering remote engineering talents worldwide and facilitating international growth for its clients. The expansion into Latin and South America aims to tap into regional expertise and nuances, offering a diverse pool of talent for global companies seeking technical expertise. Johnson points out that the acceleration of remote work adoption has paved the way for Andela to fast-track its process of connecting exceptional talent with job opportunities across the globe. The past year has seen a notable increase in the acceptance of remote hiring practices, making it easier for companies to scale operations efficiently. The decision to expand into Latin and South America stems from the surge in remote job applicants from various regions. Johnson reveals that Andela has witnessed a fivefold increase in applicants from Africa and a substantial 7.5-fold rise in applications from outside the continent. This influx of talent signals a global shift in the perception of remote work and job opportunities, fueled by the changing dynamics brought about by the pandemic. Andela's expansion strategy aligns with its core mission of connecting extraordinary talent with suitable job roles that were previously inaccessible. The company operates as a global talent marketplace, bridging the gap between skilled engineers and companies in need of technical expertise. Johnson emphasizes the broadening of Andela's reach to enable applicants from diverse backgrounds, with over 37 countries currently represented in the Andela talent network. Moreover, Johnson underscores the significant talent growth in Africa, citing the success of the Andela learning community in cultivating over 80,000 software engineers in recent years. Africa's burgeoning talent pool has attracted attention from tech giants like Twitter and Microsoft, highlighting the region's potential as a hub for innovation and technological advancement. While expanding globally, Andela reaffirms its strong commitment to Africa, where its roots firmly lie. Johnson assures that the majority of talent in the Andela network still originates from Africa, underscoring the company's deep-seated ties to the continent. However, Andela's mission of promoting equal access to opportunities transcends geographical boundaries, offering African talent the chance to collaborate with professionals worldwide on an equal footing. In terms of grooming more African talent, Andela continues to prioritize skills development through initiatives like the Andela learning community. Collaborating with industry giants such as Microsoft, Facebook, and Google, Andela imparts technical expertise to aspiring engineers, nurturing a new generation of skilled professionals. The company's focus remains on providing companies with access to a global talent pool, streamlining the process of hiring technical talent and streamlining product development. As Andela embarks on its global expansion journey, the company remains dedicated to empowering remote workers and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration across borders. By embracing the shift towards remote work, Andela is poised to revolutionize the way companies approach talent acquisition and workforce management in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.