“What would a brand-new MacBook Pro do for you right now?” Throw this question at an average Nigerian techie and watch them give solid reasons why the laptop would benefit their career.
The truth is, tech enthusiasts need durable gadgets and access to basic amenities like electricity to stay productive. Unfortunately, most don’t even have access to it.
Some are stuck with a laptop that lags; others are simply forced to do their task on a phone that hangs. These struggles are endless and can cripple career growth.
However, initiatives like Upskill with Cardtonic are changing this narrative for tech enthusiasts in Nigeria. Since its launch in 2022, they have given brand-new laptops, cash prizes, and job opportunities to support Nigerian tech enthusiasts.
In the just-concluded edition, Upskill 3.0, another set of 20 techies won brand-new MacBooks and potential job opportunities to grow their tech careers.
The Struggle of Building a Successful Tech Career in Nigeria
With the glamorous tech success stories we read on the internet, it’s easy to think all it takes to build a successful tech career is tech skills.
Just pick up a tech skill, learn it for a few months, build a portfolio, and then the opportunities will start flooding your emails.
In reality, it goes beyond that. There are many untold struggles tech enthusiasts face to build their careers.
According to Ilerioluwakiye, one of the winners of Upskill 1.0, pursuing a front-end career meant she had to code on a laptop that could barely last 30 minutes. And even when the laptop eventually failed her, she had no choice but to code on her phone.
On average, the techies in Nigeria have similar stories.
These are the issues the Cardtonic team saw and decided to address through the Upskill program. And ever since it was established, tech enthusiasts like Ilerioluwakiye have received durable gadgets that help them build their skills with ease, and received support and opportunities to thrive in their careers in Nigeria and beyond.
Inside Upskill 3.0: From 16,000 Applicants to 20 Winners
The Upskill 3.0 edition came and went, but its impact on the careers of the 20 winners will be felt forever.
The edition started as a tough competition with over 16,000 applicants, which is not quite surprising, as every techie needs a durable laptop.
However, the Upskill team employed a fair and transparent system to ensure only the right people got the laptop.
In the first stage of the competition, applicants took an online assessment to demonstrate their skills in their chosen field. A strict anti-cheating system was also employed to prevent cheating. Those who met the cutoff point proceeded to the next stage, which was the interview phase. This stage required qualified applicants to demonstrate their passion and explain how the laptop would benefit their career.
After careful assessment, 20 people were selected and announced as the winners for the Upskill 3.0 edition.
On the final prize-giving day, Nov 1, 2025, runners-up received cash prizes; 20 winners received brand-new MacBook Pros and the potential opportunity to join the Cardtonic team on a full-time contract.
It was a memorable event filled with joy, celebration, and lots of food. Beyond the celebration, tech experts like Ife Durosinmi, the founder of Herconomy; Lukman Bello, technical lead at Paystack; and Semudara Abayomi, a tech content creator, shared practical tips to thrive in the industry.
This is one of the reasons Cardtonic created Upskill for young Nigerian techies. It is not just about giving out laptops; it’s more about helping tech enthusiasts grow their careers and fostering innovation in the Nigerian tech industry.
The ripple effect of past Upskill editions has proven that this initiative is valid and worth pursuing.
In the first Upskill edition in 2022, 15 techies won brand-new MacBooks to grow their careers. In the second edition in 2024, the number was increased to reach more people. 20 techies won brand-new MacBooks, and 13 runners-up received consolation prizes. Now, another set of 20 techies has received MacBooks and several opportunities to support their career journey.
Most Upskill recipients did not just receive a brand-new laptop; they received support that helped them pursue their tech career with ease, build their skills, and even land a job. As a matter of fact, three Upskill alumni are currently working at Cardtonic.
This initiative further reflects Cardtonic’s commitment to making an impact in the tech industry. Building innovative financial solutions from virtual dollar cards to digital payment, while empowering young African talents through initiatives like Upskill.
Looking Ahead
Building a tech career without durable gadgets and access to basic amenities can make one’s career journey painfully slow and frustrating.
However, Upskill by Cardtonic is changing the narrative one edition at a time, equipping young techies with the right tools and a healthy environment to grow their tech skills.
Upon the success of three Upskill editions and their impact on the careers of young Nigerian techies, the fourth edition, Upskill 4.0, is set to be bigger and better, so more tech enthusiasts can benefit from the opportunity and grow their careers.
