Become a Full-Stack Software & AI Engineer in 4 to 6 Months
Build real products, gain job-ready skills, and launch your career, freelance business, or startup.
Cohort starts in
Live Classes
4 live sessions + peer learning weekly
Project-Based
Build and ship real products
Small Cohorts
Direct mentorship and accountability
Career Support
Until you land your role
From Our Community
Real outcomes from real students. No stock photos, no invented numbers.
500+
Discord Members
8
Projects Per Student
0
Days to Next Cohort
"I had zero coding experience. By Week 4 I had already built a working M-Pesa payment link that my employer actually deployed. McTaba teaches you things that work in the real world."
✓ Built an M-Pesa app in Week 3Aisha Njoroge
Former Customer Service Rep
"My CS classmates were still writing "Hello World" assignments. I was shipping a WhatsApp CRM for a real estate agency. I got hired 2 months after graduating."
✓ Hired as junior dev in 2 monthsBrian Ochieng
Business Student, University of Nairobi
"I was 32 and scared I was too old. The instructors were patient, the community kept me accountable, and by Week 5 I was already freelancing on M-Pesa integration projects."
✓ Freelancing by Week 5Grace Wambui
Secondary School Teacher
"Before joining McTaba, I felt stuck in what many call “tutorial hell.” I kept watching programming tutorials, but I couldn’t truly understand or apply what I was learning. My knowledge was scattered, and I struggled to piece concepts together. I couldn’t even confidently build something as simple as a calculator on my own. What makes McTaba stand out is its strong emphasis on fundamentals and mindset. The sessions challenge you to think instead of copy. That shift has made a significant difference in my confidence and problem-solving ability. I now approach programming with clearer structure and logic rather than confusion. I would recommend McTaba to anyone who genuinely wants to build something real, starting from solid foundations instead of rushing through content. The structure and mentorship create an environment that pushes you to grow both technically and mentally."
✓ Escaped Tutorial HellBenard Mutuku
University Student
The Blueprint for Building and Launching Your Tech Career
Our proven 5-step engineering marathon is designed to take you from a motivated beginner to a production-ready startup founder or lead dev.
Apply & Interview
Submit your application and complete a brief interview to assess your motivation and learning readiness.
Learn moreMaster Foundations
Learn HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Git through hands-on projects and daily coding challenges.
Learn moreBuild Your Portfolio
Create 6-8 real-world projects including full-stack applications that showcase your skills to employers.
Learn moreCareer Preparation
Polish your resume, practice technical interviews, and connect with our network of hiring partners.
Learn moreLand Your First Role
Get matched with opportunities at startups and tech companies across Kenya, East Africa, and beyond.
Learn moreBuild with the African Stack
M-Pesa, USSD, and WhatsApp Engineering
You won't just learn "coding"; you will learn Revenue Engineering. Build systems that process payments, automate business via WhatsApp/USSD, and handle real-world traffic.
Weeks 1-6
Modern Web & API Fundamentals
- HTML5/CSS3 Semantic Web
- JavaScript ES6+ (Async/Await)
- HTTP Protocol & JSON
- Postman API Testing
- Git Workflows & PRs
Key Project
🛠️ M-Pesa Paylink & Receipt Mini-App
Weeks 7-13
Data, Logic & CRM Engineering
- MongoDB & Mongoose Schema
- JWT Auth & Security
- WhatsApp Business API
- USSD Engineering (Telco)
- Relational Data (PostgreSQL)
Key Project
🛠️ WhatsApp CRM & USSD Support
Weeks 14-22
Commerce & Fintech Mastery
- Next.js SSR & State Machines
- M-Pesa, Airtel & Stripe
- Webhook Security & Idempotency
- Telegram Bot API
- Automation with Cron Jobs
Key Project
🛠️ Chama Savings & E-commerce
Weeks 23-26
Production Engineering
- Queues (Redis/BullMQ)
- Microservices Architecture
- Docker & Containerization
- CI/CD (GitHub Actions)
- Failover Logic & SMS Gateways
Key Project
🛠️ Multi-Channel Notification Hub
Weeks 27-30
The Capstone Sprint
- The African SME OS
- Multi-tenant Architecture
- Custom Startup Project
- API Design & Scale
- Demo Day & Launch
Key Project
🚀 Build a Real-World Startup
Built for the next generation of African Tech Founders.
By the end of this marathon, you won't just have a CV. You will have a production-ready portfolio of 8 applications that address real African business problems using Mobile Money, USSD, and WhatsApp.
Intensity
4 Live Classes + 1 Peer Session
Project Count
8 Professional Apps
Integration
M-Pesa, Stripe, Airtel
Channels
USSD, WhatsApp, SMS
Build the "African Stack"
Forget "To-Do Lists" and "Weather Apps". You will build 8 production-grade applications that solve real African business problems using Mobile Money, USSD, WhatsApp, and modern web tech.
M-Pesa Paylink & Receipt Mini-App
Send clients a payment link, trigger M-Pesa STK, and generate instant PDF receipts.
Core Features
WhatsApp Lead Capture CRM
Turn WhatsApp chats into structured leads with a web-based CRM dashboard.
Core Features
USSD Customer Self-Service App
Let customers dial a USSD code to check balances and request support.
Core Features
E-commerce Lite + WhatsApp Updates
A simple online store with payments and automatic WhatsApp order notifications.
Core Features
Chama Savings Platform
Manage group contributions, track balances, and send automated reminders.
Core Features
Booking & Appointments System
Salon/clinic bookings with M-Pesa deposits and SMS reminders.
Core Features
Multi-Channel Notification Hub
A unified API to send alerts via WhatsApp, SMS, or Email with failover logic.
Core Features
The African SME OS
A multi-tenant "operating system" for SMEs combining payments, USSD, WhatsApp, and CRM into one platform.
Core Features
The McTaba Mission
We are building the future of tech in Africa, one founder at a time.
Our 2030 Commitment
By 2030, McTaba Labs aims to empower 1,000,000 students across the African continent. We aren't just teaching syntax; we are building an ecosystem of tech-enabled problem solvers.
Every curriculum module, every project, and every mentor session is designed to solve a local problem—whether it's fintech in Kenya, agritech in Nigeria, or logistics in Rwanda.
"The 'African Stack' isn't just a set of tools; it's the bridge between abstract code and real-world economic impact."
Mentorship Beyond Code
Join a community of builders. We provide the roadmap, the tools, and the network to help you launch your first production app.
Explore the CurriculumThe African Tech Talent Report 2026
We're mapping the future of tech careers in Africa. Deep dive into local salary trends and the most needed skills for 2026.
Is McTaba Labs Right for You?
We're looking for motivated learners ready to commit to their future in tech
Perfect For
- Recent graduates looking for a tech career
- Career switchers ready for a new path
- Self-taught developers wanting structure
- Entrepreneurs building their own products
- Anyone committed to 20-25 hours/week
Not Ideal For
- Complete beginners expecting instant results
- Those unable to commit consistent study time
- Looking for shortcuts without effort
- Expecting guaranteed job placement
What You Need to Get Started
Basic Computer Skills
Comfortable using computers and the internet
English Proficiency
Able to read and understand technical documentation
Time Commitment
Full-Time: 4 months (Hybrid) · Part-Time: 6 months (Remote)
Growth Mindset
Willingness to learn and embrace challenges
No prior coding experience required. We start from the basics and build up.
Learn From Practitioners, Not Theorists
Every instructor has built production systems that process real money and serve real African users.
Bonaventure Ogeto
Founder & Lead Engineer
Gabriella Pendo
Software Engineer & Technical Mentor
Kimathi Kennedy
Software Engineer & Technical Reviewer
Aggrey Gisemba
Software Engineer & Technical Reviewer
Myles Ngicu
Software Engineer
Delbert Kipyegon
Software Engineer
Transparent, Affordable Pricing
Same world-class curriculum, same KES 120,000 fee — pick the track that fits your life
Full-Time
Intensive daytime schedule
Part-Time
Balance with work or uni
Flexible Payment Options
Choose what works for your budget
2 Installments
upfront
Pay KES 60,000 to secure your place, then clear the balance by the end of Month 1.
3 Installments
deposit
Spread your investment across three payments.
Every plan includes:
How We Compare
| McTaba Labs | University CS | YouTube / Udemy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 4–6 months | 3–4 years | Self-paced / no deadline |
| Projects Built | 8 production | 1–3 academic | 0–2 toy projects |
| African Stack | |||
| Live Mentorship | |||
| Career Support | Career Fair only | ||
| Cost (KSh) | 120,000 | 600,000–2M+ | 0–15,000 |
M-PESA Payment
Paybill Number
880100
Account Name
PAYMACTABA
Next Cohort
Join the September 14th intake. Limited to 10 students per cohort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about McTaba Labs
No! We start from the absolute basics and build up. Many of the most successful students had zero coding experience before joining. What matters most is your motivation to learn and willingness to put in the work.
Still have questions?
AI & Business Automation
Learn to build automations that businesses pay KES 50,000 to 250,000 per workflow for.
- Build with n8n, Zapier & Make
- Real client-ready workflows from Week 1
- Freelance-ready by graduation
What you will build
- Lead capture with auto WhatsApp follow-ups
- Invoice systems with M-Pesa STK push
- Social media content schedulers
- Client onboarding automation
- E-commerce order processors
- AI-powered chatbots for business
Tools
Upcoming Event
Your First Year in Tech — Live Masterclass
All McTaba Programs
From a KES 2,999 intro course to a 26-week engineering marathon. Every program is project-based and built for the African market.
The McTaba Marathon
26 weeks · KES 120,000
M-Pesa/Daraja API Engineering
4 weeks · KES 20,000
AI-Assisted Development with Claude Code and Cursor
4 weeks · KES 20,000
WhatsApp Business API Engineering
4 weeks · KES 20,000
USSD Development
4 weeks · KES 20,000
Build AI Features into Your App
4 weeks · KES 20,000
Tech Foundations
1-2 weeks · KES 2,999
Ready to Launch Your Developer Career?
Join our community to transform your career in tech. Limited slots available.
Full-Time (4 months, Hybrid) or Part-Time (6 months, Fully Remote). Same curriculum, same career support.
Have a project idea?
Start a project