What If Your Career Ladder Is Not About Age with CEO Dorcas Muthoni
Tech Talk AfricaPlay episode
Show notes
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International Telecoms Week x Datacloud Africa 2026 Conference Podcast Edition
CEO Dorcas Muthoni - OPENWORLD
Tech careers rarely move in a straight line, and Dorcas says we should stop pretending they do. We talk about what it really takes to build a sustainable career in a fast changing industry, especially for women who step away for family, school, or life and then come back to new tools, new terminology, and a whole new market. If you have ever felt behind, discouraged, or cut off from your old network, this conversation offers a grounded path forward.
Dorcas shares her journey as the founder of Open World, including why the company evolves from software consulting to data center consulting and how digital infrastructure shapes everything from reliable apps to national connectivity. She explains how spotting patterns early, investing in certifications, and following what is emerging can help you pivot with purpose. We also get into what entrepreneurs should watch for: technologies with long trajectories, clear demand, and the kind of scale that comes from real consumer behavior, not just technical hype.
We then zoom out to women in tech in Africa through the work of AFCHIX, which Dorcas starts in 2004 after noticing very few women applying for jobs and internships. She breaks down a practical framework for supporting women at different ladder stages, from school to senior leadership, and why micro skills training paired with mentorship can help returning professionals regain confidence and momentum. We end with a provocative idea for schools: fund tech labs like we fund science labs, and treat digital infrastructure as essential education.
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Credits
Host:
Stella GichuhiProducer:
James NjorogeExecutive Producers:
Harry HareAgutu Dan
