Shaping Tech with Empathy!
The technology industry has become an important part of today’s world, transforming every aspect of modern life. From software development to cloud technology, innovation in this sector continues to open new possibilities for businesses and individuals alike. Cloud technology has revolutionized how companies operate, offering scalability, efficiency, and flexibility. As the tech sector grows, so does the need for new solutions that meet global demands. Engineers and developers play a key role in propelling this growth, constantly seeking ways to push the boundaries of what technology can achieve.
Adeline Makokha, a Software Development Engineer in Test, demonstrates the leadership needed to thrive in such a challenging field. Known for her passion for innovation, Adeline combines creativity with problem-solving, ensuring that software meets high-quality standards. She advances her role with precision and attention to detail, focusing on finding flaws and enhancing the overall performance of the product. Her leading approach is built on empathy and mentorship, creating an environment where her team feels empowered to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them.
Safaricom PLC, where Adeline is part of the team, is a leader in the technology sector known for its commitment to quality and innovation. The company provides a platform that nurtures technological advancements, enabling professionals like Adeline to thrive in a challenging, fast-paced environment. With its focus on cutting-edge projects and continuous learning, Safaricom is setting the stage for future developments in cloud technology, software testing, and beyond, contributing significantly to the industry’s advancement.
Let’s explore Adeline’s journey of learning and discovery:
Passion for Innovation and Problem-Solving
Since early on, Adeline has been fascinated by how innovation shapes our reality. What motivated her to pursue a profession in Software Development Engineering (SDE) and Cloud Technology was the sheer excitement of being able to create something that could solve real-world problems and impact lives globally. She remembers the first time she wrote a piece of code that worked; it felt like she had unlocked a superpower. That moment sparked her passion, and she knew this was the path for her.
Cloud technology has opened endless possibilities for innovation. It’s like having a limitless canvas where one can build solutions that are scalable, efficient, and accessible to millions of people. The flexibility, speed, and creativity it offers have been a game-changer in how she approaches problem-solving.
Her journey in tech has been an undeniably thrilling experience of consistent learning, development, and discovery. Each challenge she has faced has pushed her to think in unexpected ways, reinforcing her belief that the future lies in the hands of those willing to explore and push the boundaries. For her, SDE and cloud engineering aren’t just careers; they are her passion, fueling her curiosity every day.
Blending Creativity with Problem Solving
As a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) at Safaricom, Adeline’s role is all about ensuring that the software built meets the highest quality standards. She is responsible for executing automated tests that help identify bugs and issues before they reach customers. It’s like being a detective, constantly on the lookout for hidden problems that could affect the user experience. The precision and attention to detail required make it both challenging and rewarding.
What energizes her the most about this role is the opportunity to blend creativity with problem solving. She loves the idea that she is not just testing software but contributing to its improvement and development. It’s more than just about finding flaws; it’s about making the product stronger, more productive, and user-friendly. Safaricom’s innovative and creative environment keeps her honest, always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in technology.
The fast-paced nature of the business and the continuous learning that comes with working on projects in cutting-edge technologies drive her passion for this role. Each day brings something new, and that is what keeps her motivated and excited to contribute.
Promoting Collaboration for Innovation
With regards to nurturing talent in the tech community, Adeline believes that effective leadership revolves around empathy, mentorship, and cultivating a growth mindset. As a leader, it’s essential to be approachable and to genuinely listen to the needs and challenges of those around you. For her, leadership is about creating a space where people feel empowered to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them (servant leadership).
One of the most important qualities is leading by example. Whether it’s continuously improving one’s own skills or showing resilience in the face of difficulties, being a role model motivates others to push their limits. She also believes in the power of mentorship; taking the time to guide others, share experiences, and offer constructive feedback can be transformative for someone’s career.
Another key quality is promoting collaboration. The best tech communities are built on the exchange of ideas and collective problem-solving. She highlights, “When you create a culture where everyone’s input is valued, innovation thrives. It’s exciting to see how a supportive environment can unlock untapped potential and inspire the next generation of tech leaders.”(psychological safety)
Advocating for Diversity and Mentorship
In Adeline’s opinion, one of the biggest barriers to inclusion in tech is the lack of access to resources and opportunities. Many talented individuals don’t get a chance to explore their potential simply because they lack the tools, mentorship, or exposure to tech early on.
This creates a gap that can be hard to bridge. She believes that if we want to create a truly inclusive and diverse tech industry, we need to start by breaking down these barriers and creating pathways for everyone to thrive.
Another challenge is the presence of unconscious bias in hiring and career progression. This can make it difficult for individuals from diverse backgrounds to feel valued or seen in tech spaces. Addressing this requires a conscious effort from leadership to create fair and transparent processes, as well as building a culture where diversity is celebrated rather than overlooked.
In her role, Adeline actively works to address these barriers by advocating for diversity in hiring practices and creating mentorship opportunities. She believes that by sharing knowledge, providing hands-on learning experiences, and creating spaces where everyone feels welcome, we can make tech more inclusive. “It’s not just about bringing people into the room; it’s about making sure everyone’s voice is heard once they’re there,” she quoted.
Building Scalable and Resilient Cloud Solutions
Balancing innovation with the practical execution of scalable, resilient solutions is a challenge Adeline finds both exciting and essential in today’s tech environment. When working with emerging technologies like AWS, the key is to embrace innovation without losing sight of the core principles that make systems reliable and scalable. She believes it’s all about strategic foresight, knowing when to push the boundaries and when to rely on tried-and-tested solutions.
Innovation is essential for staying ahead, but it needs to be rooted in practicality. For example, when building cloud architectures, she focuses on scalability and resilience from day one. By using AWS services like Auto Scaling, Load Balancing, and Multi-Availability Zone deployments, they can ensure that while experimenting with new ideas, their systems remain robust and capable of handling growth.
Another essential element is iteration(agile ways of work). She sees innovation as a continuous process. It’s not about creating something perfect from the start; it’s about building, testing, learning, and refining. AWS provides the flexibility to do this at scale, allowing for experimentation without compromising reliability. This balance between creativity and solid engineering practices helps deliver solutions that are not only cutting-edge but also scalable and resilient.
Effective Task Management in Tech
According to Adeline, balancing professional responsibilities, leadership roles, and personal life, especially in the fast-paced tech industry, requires intentional planning and prioritization. One key approach she follows is focusing on one task at a time. She is a firm believer in avoiding multitasking because, in her experience, trying to do everything at once often leads to diminished focus and quality.
Instead, she prioritizes tasks and tackles them with full attention, ensuring that she gives her best to each responsibility. Planning her day the night before helps her delegate tasks more efficiently and ensures she hits the ground running with a clear direction.
When it comes to leadership roles, Adeline has learned the importance of delegation and trusting others to take ownership of their areas. By empowering her team and creating a supportive environment, she can focus on strategic decisions while still being available for guidance when needed. This not only helps with efficiency but also encourages growth in others.
In terms of personal life, she has found that setting boundaries is crucial. She schedules time for herself, family, and hobbies just as she would for work tasks. This helps her recharge and maintain a healthy balance between her professional and personal worlds. For her, “it’s about being present in each moment, whether she is working on a project, leading a team, or spending time with family and friends.”
Engaging with the Tech Community
Adeline believes staying ahead of the curve in emerging technologies like cloud computing requires a mindset of continuous learning and curiosity. The tech environment changes so rapidly that it’s essential to be proactive about keeping up with new developments. For her, it’s about staying hungry for knowledge, always looking for the next challenge to tackle or the next skill to master.
She dedicates time each week to learning, whether it’s through online courses, reading tech blogs, or diving into documentation for new AWS services. She also makes it a point to engage with the broader tech community by attending conferences, joining webinars, and participating in discussions with peers. This allows her to exchange ideas and gain new perspectives on how others are using cloud technologies in innovative ways.
Hands-on experience is another essential factor. She believes the best way to build expertise is by getting your hands dirty. Whenever a new tool or service comes out, she makes it a habit to experiment with it, test its capabilities, and understand how it fits into real-world scenarios. This practical approach helps her stay ahead while continuously sharpening her skills in cloud computing.
By combining curiosity, community engagement, and hands-on learning, Adeline ensures that she’s not just keeping up but also actively contributing to the future of cloud technology.
Opportunities for the Next Generation in Tech
She sees the future of cloud technology in East Africa as incredibly bright, with endless opportunities for innovation and growth. Cloud technology is already transforming industries across the region, from agriculture to finance, by enabling businesses to scale quickly, reduce costs, and access powerful tools that were once out of reach.
Adeline believes that in the coming years, cloud computing will be the backbone of digital transformation in East Africa, opening new avenues for startups, enterprises, and government services to thrive.
One of the most exciting opportunities is how cloud technology can drive financial inclusion, healthcare accessibility, and education solutions to even the most remote areas. The ability to use data, AI, and scalable platforms can create localized solutions to solve real-world challenges, making a lasting impact on people’s lives.
For the next generation of tech professionals, the opportunities are vast. She highlights, “As cloud technology continues to develop, there will be a growing demand for skilled individuals who can build, manage, and innovate on these platforms.” Whether it’s in software development, data science, cybersecurity, or AI, cloud expertise will be at the forefront of career growth in the region.
The future lies in embracing these technologies and nurturing a community of tech-savvy professionals who are ready to take on the challenges and possibilities that cloud computing offers. It’s an exciting time to be part of this journey!
Building the Future of Technology
Adeline’s advice to young people entering the tech industry, especially those interested in cloud and telecommunication engineering, is, “Stay curious and never stop learning. The tech world is constantly growing, and the only way to keep up is to embrace continuous learning. Don’t be afraid to dive into new technologies or challenge yourself with complex problems; this is where growth happens.”
She also encourages young professionals to seek out mentors and be part of tech communities. She states, “Whether it’s through online forums, attending local meetups, or connecting with industry leaders, surrounding yourself with people who share your passion will help you grow faster and stay motivated. Don’t underestimate the power of collaboration; learning from others’ experiences can fast-track your own development.”
She highlights, “It’s important to remember that failure is part of the journey. In tech, things won’t always work perfectly the first time, and that’s okay. The key is to stay resilient, learn from your mistakes, and keep pushing forward. Finally, be bold and take risks. The cloud and telecommunications space is full of opportunities for innovation, and the next big breakthrough could come from you.”
Adeline’s another piece of advice for young professionals: “Stay hungry, stay curious, and keep building. The future of tech belongs to those who are willing to put in the work and dream big.”
Inspiring Growth and Innovation in Tech
Adeline is currently focused on enhancing her expertise in cloud technology and software development while expanding her leadership skills. She believes that to make a meaningful impact in the tech industry, continuous growth is essential.
This includes pursuing certifications in AWS and diving deeper into advanced cloud architecture principles. She wants to be at the forefront of technological advancements, ensuring she can use the latest tools and strategies to drive innovation.
In addition to technical skills, she is also dedicated to mentoring and supporting young professionals in the tech community. She envisions creating programs that provide hands-on training and mentorship opportunities for those just starting in their careers. Empowering others is not just rewarding; it’s crucial for the growth of the industry.
Looking ahead, Adeline sees her career developing into a more strategic leadership role, where she can influence broader initiatives within her organization and the tech community. She aspires to be a key player in shaping how cloud technology can address local challenges, particularly in East Africa.
Ultimately, her goal is to contribute to a tech environment that is inclusive, innovative, and impactful. As she continues to learn and grow, she hopes to inspire the next generation of tech leaders to dream big and harness technology to make a difference.
Leading Innovation and Growth in Tech
Adeline Makokha’s journey as a AWS cloud pioneer in East Africa’s tech sector has been an incredible and fulfilling experience. As the first female AWS Community Builder in East Africa back in October 2021, she set out to create a powerful space for women in technology, leading by example and showing what’s possible in this field. The community she has helped shape in Nairobi has grown to over 3,000 members, and it’s been amazing to witness how it has inspired thousands to explore careers in cloud technology.
One of the most memorable milestones in her journey was in October 2023, when she had the honor of sharing her career success story in front of the President of Kenya, H.E. William Samoei Ruto, and other dignitaries at the launch of the AWS Development Centre offices in Nairobi.
That moment wasn’t just a personal achievement for her; it was an opportunity to inspire other aspiring tech professionals across Kenya and beyond. Standing on such a prestigious platform allowed her to showcase her dedication to cloud technology, innovation, and community building.
As the Cloud Queen, Adeline leads monthly learning sessions, ensuring the community stays ahead in the latest technologies. Beyond Nairobi, she has had the privilege of establishing vibrant tech communities in Uganda, Rwanda, and the DR Congo. Her passion has always been about bridging the gap between young people with technical skills and the job market, empowering them to lead successful careers in tech.
The title of Cloud Queen, which she earned at the inaugural AWS Community Day Kenya 2024 in front of over 400 attendees, reflects her commitment to nurturing the next generation of tech talent. For her, building these communities isn’t just about technology; it’s about creating sustainable pathways for growth and development across Africa’s tech sector.
She is driven by the belief that by building strong, connected tech communities, Africa’s tech sector can rise to meet global standards. She truly believes that when people come together to share knowledge and resources, a more inclusive and innovative tech environment is created. The future is bright, and she is excited to be part of this journey!
