Chasing tech dreams is exciting, full of hope, ideas, and passion. But when you lack the resources, the journey can quickly become tough, confusing, and lonely. I know this feeling well because I’ve walked this path myself. I’m a software engineer from Nigeria, with dreams of building products and impacting the world through technology. But like many others in Africa, I’ve faced the challenge of limited funding, infrastructure, and opportunities.
If you’re reading this, maybe you’re feeling the same way, full of dreams but missing the tools or support. This article is for you. I want to share my story, insights, and hope for anyone chasing tech dreams without resources, especially in Africa.
The Excitement of a Dream
My journey with technology began in 2019. It wasn’t a flashy start, in fact, I barely understood what “computer science” meant when I first heard about it from someone. It was just a phrase, something distant and mysterious. But the idea that there was a whole world built around computers and programming fascinated me. I knew I wanted to be part of it, even if I didn’t yet understand what it fully involved.
When I finally got to school and started learning more about technology, things began to click. I was introduced to programming languages, frameworks like React and Spring Boot, and the endless possibilities they offered. Suddenly, tech wasn’t just a word; it was a key to creating real solutions — apps that could help people, systems that could solve problems. It felt like discovering a secret superpower.
But here’s the truth: I didn’t fully grasp what it would take to go far on this journey. I saw glimpses of the destination but didn’t have a clear roadmap or a lot of support. Most days, I struggled to figure things out on my own, hunting for tutorials, practicing code late into the night, trying to understand complex concepts with no mentor to guide me.
Despite these struggles, the dream remained powerful. Technology wasn’t just about writing lines of code. It was about creating something new, innovating, and making life better for myself and others. Every small success, a working app, a blog post shared, a new skill learned, was a spark that fueled my hope.
The excitement of that dream kept me going, even when the path was unclear and resources were scarce. It’s a feeling I know many others chasing tech dreams without support can relate to a mix of wonder, determination, and the hunger to build something meaningful.
The Harsh Reality: Lack of Resources
As my excitement grew, reality started to settle in the kind of reality that many African tech dreamers know all too well. I quickly realized that having passion and ideas wasn’t enough. I didn’t have the funding to buy the latest tools, the fastest internet, or even a stable electricity supply. Sometimes, power outages and lack of data would strike just when I was about to save hours of work, wiping away my progress in a blink.
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I had no mentors nearby, no community to turn to for advice. Learning often meant long nights figuring out errors on my own or scouring through countless tutorials online, many of which assumed you already had some background. I didn’t have anyone to ask, and it felt like I was climbing a mountain without a guide or even a clear path.
Most days, I juggled this with other responsibilities, family, school, and sometimes even odd jobs, like my laundry business because there was no safety net to rely on. I had to be resourceful. I used free tools, open source software, and free learning platforms like medium, and others as much as I could. It was hard, but I refused to let these obstacles extinguish the dream.
I often wondered: How do others do it? How do people in more developed countries seem to move faster and have more opportunities? It felt like a race I couldn’t win. But then I looked closer at the progress happening around Africa and that gave me hope.
Africa’s Growing Tech Landscape: A Beacon of Hope
Not all is dark. Look at Burkina Faso, for example. This country is making strides by:
- Launching government initiatives to support digital literacy
- Encouraging startups through tech hubs and accelerators
- Expanding internet access to rural areas
Similarly, countries like Kenya, Rwanda, and Nigeria are rapidly growing their tech ecosystems with hubs, training centers, and more startups emerging every year. These countries prove that even with challenges, progress is possible.
What I Learned Chasing My Tech Dreams
- I began by building simple projects on my laptop, even when I dreamed of bigger platforms. Small wins build confidence.
- There are amazing free courses, open-source tools, and communities online. I used YouTube tutorials, free coding platforms, and blogs, even purchases courses at Udemy to help myself in going further.
- Writing on my blog about struggles and progress connected me with like-minded people worldwide. I learned that vulnerability builds community.
- Consistency in learning and sharing trumps perfection. I didn’t have the best setup, but showing up daily made a difference.
It’s frustrating when you see others with more resources move faster. You may feel left behind or like you’re chasing a moving target. I’ve felt discouraged, doubting if I should continue.
But remember: Every successful person has faced setbacks. The difference is they kept going. Your path is unique, don’t compare yourself to others.
My Advice for Future African Tech Dreamers
If you are dreaming of making it in technology here in Africa or anywhere in the world, especially without many resources, these practical steps can help you navigate the journey more confidently. Let me explain each piece of advice in a simple, relatable way.
1. Build Your Network — Online and Offline
One of the most powerful things you can do is connect with others who share your passion. Think of your network as your support system, people who can encourage you, share opportunities, or simply listen when things get tough.
- There are many tech groups on platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook where you can join conversations, ask questions, and learn from others. For example, groups like Andela connect African developers worldwide, while events like the Africa Tech Summit gather innovators and leaders.
- If possible, attend local tech meetups or workshops in your city. Meeting people face-to-face creates stronger bonds and often leads to collaborations and friendships. Even if the gatherings are small, the connections you make are valuable.
Why it matters: When you feel stuck or unsure, your network reminds you that you’re not alone. They can open doors to new projects, jobs, or learning resources.
2. Focus on Solving Local Problems
Technology is most powerful when it solves real problems, especially those you understand well because they affect your community.
- Ask yourself: What daily challenges do people around me face? Maybe it’s poor internet access, lack of easy banking solutions, or education gaps.
- Build apps or tools that help with these problems, even in simple ways. For example, a basic app to connect farmers with buyers or a platform that shares local health tips.
Why it matters: When your work helps people nearby, you create real value that others notice and appreciate. Local solutions often grow into bigger opportunities because they fill a genuine need.
3. Document Your Journey
Sharing your story, the ups and downs is a powerful way to build support and inspire others.
- You don’t need fancy equipment. A simple blog, a series of tweets, or short videos on platforms like TikTok or YouTube are enough.
- Talk about your struggles, what you’re learning, and your small wins. People love to follow honest journeys because they feel real and relatable.
- Documenting also helps you see your own progress and stay motivated.
Why it matters: Your story might be the encouragement someone else needs. Plus, when you share publicly, mentors, collaborators, or potential clients might find you.
4. Keep Learning, Stay Curious and Adapt
Technology changes fast. New tools, languages, and frameworks appear regularly. Staying curious and open to learning keeps you relevant.
- Use free resources like YouTube tutorials, online coding schools, or free courses from platforms like Coursera and edX.
- Don’t be afraid to try something new or pivot if your original idea isn’t working. Flexibility is a strength.
- Learning doesn’t only mean coding, also learn about product building, marketing, or teamwork.
Why it matters: The tech world rewards those who keep up and adapt. Your willingness to learn can open doors even when others stop trying.
5. Seek Mentors, Guidance Makes the Journey Easier
Having someone experienced to guide you can save you a lot of time and frustration.
- A mentor can be a senior developer, a tech entrepreneur, or even someone who started where you are.
- They can help you avoid common mistakes, introduce you to networks, or simply encourage you when things get hard.
- Don’t be shy to ask for advice. Many successful people love to help the next generation.
Your dream isn’t just for you. It’s for the future generations who will build on your foundation. Africa’s tech future depends on people like you who don’t give up despite lacking resources. Your effort today could inspire a generation tomorrow.
Chasing tech dreams without resources is not easy, it’s full of doubts, obstacles, and lonely nights. But it is possible. The key is to start where you are, use what you have, and keep your eyes on the vision.
You are not alone. Many have walked this path before and are cheering for you. The world needs your unique contribution, your perspective, and your innovation.
Stay hopeful. Stay curious. And most importantly, keep moving forward.
“Each word you write, each video you post, is a seed planted. Some won’t grow right away, but one will bloom into something big. Keep planting. The world is waiting for your voice, your insight, and your story.”