Dutch-African tech firm Tunga, with a current network of 400 African software developers, has received a Dutch Good Growth Fund (DGGF) loan to build further capacity.

According to a statement, the investment will be used to expand its African operations and launch growth plans in Europe.

The intention is to expand the local organisation and infrastructure in Africa so that local developers get the opportunity to become part of Tunga’s talent programme.

Tunga said it is working to source new talent in Egypt, Nigeria and Uganda.

“A proactive community outreach, automated testing and online and offline training are used to expand and increase the quality of the current talent pool. This requires additional expenditures in Africa: a total net investment of €218.500, €120K of which is provided by DGGF, the rest by Tunga itself.”

Ernesto Spruyt, founder of Tunga said: “Without ever receiving any equity investments and running on a very limited budget, we've managed to realise triple digit growth each year since our inception. To keep up this growth rate, we need to make further investments in our talent pool of African developers. In 2020 and 2021 we will identify, train and test new talents, in order to increase the number of our software developers to 1000+. This means we have to hire at least three more talent managers as an addition to the three we have on the ground now. By the end of 2021, a large and freshly trained group of developers will be ready to get to work. That is why we are also launching our European growth plan. This month we’ve started sales operations in the UK and the Nordics and the first results are promising. Needless to say, we are nothing but positive about the future!”

Tunga added that in terms of growth opportunities in Europe, the company will focus on the UK, Denmark, Sweden and Norway.

“Good English proficiency, a positive attitude towards fair trade practices and relatively close cultural relations to the Netherlands, as well as having an overall solid economy, are the main reasons for starting sales operations in these four countries,” Tunga stated.

In late May 2020 the company announced its eligibility for the loan, to be paid back in two years, as one of the Dutch businesses that 'link aid to trade' because of its mission to combat youth unemployment in parts of Africa.

ITWeb Africa reported that the business has offices in Amsterdam, Lagos and Kampala and its model adds another layer to the Gig economy boost in parts of Africa where interests in freelance offerings seems to be rising, with the likes of Mobijobs and AnyTask adding a blockchain technology context to it.

With the recent rise in intra-Africa trade promotion, many Africans - especially those who are without work but have requisite skills - may be seeking ways to participate outside of their immediate economies with an equal chance of international exposure and experience.