The role
As a software developer, you design, write and test the code behind business applications, internal tools and APIs. You turn requirements into working features, review your teammates' code and fix bugs reported by users. You work closely with product managers, designers and other engineers.
Who is hiring
Fintechs, banks, mobile operators, software houses and start-ups all hire software developers, as do diaspora businesses building products for African markets. Many roles are remote or hybrid, which lets you work for a company in another country without moving.
Background and career path
Most developers hold a computer science degree or come from a coding bootcamp, with a GitHub portfolio to show. You grow from junior to senior developer, then tech lead or software architect.