Okpukoro’s ‘Community Leads Africa’ initiative to empower over 10,000 community managers in building sustainable developer communities

In today’s tech ecosystem, community managers play a crucial role in nurturing collaboration, driving innovation, and creating sustainable networks for developers. Despite their importance, however, many community managers need more resources, training, and support to scale their efforts. Trust Okpukoro, a passionate advocate for community-driven innovation, sought to address this gap when he founded Community Leads Africa. Since its inception, Community Leads Africa has empowered over 10,000 community managers across the continent, equipping them with the tools, skills, and knowledge needed to build thriving, long-lasting developer communities. In this interview, Trust explored his journey, challenges and his vision for the future of African tech communities, Excerpts.

Let’s start by learning about your background and what inspired you to create Community Leads Africa.

My journey started as a software developer, and over time, I transitioned into developer advocacy and technical writing, which allowed me to engage more deeply with the developer community. Through these roles, I noticed a significant gap, while many startups were creating amazing projects, there was a lack of support for the community managers who helped keep the communities thriving. I saw the challenges these managers faced in scaling and sustaining their efforts, from lack of resources to insufficient training. That’s when the idea for Community Leads Africa was born. I wanted to create a platform that would equip community managers with the skills, tools, and networks they needed.

What was the main challenge you saw in the tech ecosystem that you aimed to solve with this initiative?

The major challenge was the lack of formal community management structures. While there were many talented community managers across Africa, they often lacked proper training, mentorship, or access to resources that could help them build sustainable, high-impact communities. This gap prevented many communities from realising their full potential. I wanted Community Leads Africa to bridge that gap and provide a comprehensive support system for community managers.

Your work with Community Leads Africa has been transformative. Can you describe some of the key initiatives you’ve implemented?

We’ve focused on a few core areas. First, we offer training and mentorship programs tailored to community leaders. These programs cover everything from community management best practices to strategies for scaling communities. We also host workshops and webinars, bringing together experts from around the globe to share their insights. Beyond that, we’ve built a network of community managers across Africa who can connect, collaborate, and learn from one another.

It sounds like Community Leads Africa has truly become a hub for community managers to develop their skills and network with others. What’s the most rewarding part of your work so far?

The most rewarding part has been seeing the real-world impact of the communities we’ve helped build. Over 10,000 community managers have been empowered through our programs, and many of them have gone on to create thriving developer communities that contribute significantly to the tech ecosystem. The success stories are humbling. It’s these kinds of transformations that keep me motivated.

That’s truly impressive. Looking forward, what’s next for Community Leads Africa? How do you envision the future of developer communities in Africa?

The future is bright. Our goal is to continue expanding our reach and supporting even more community managers across the continent. We’re also focused on building partnerships with tech companies and organisations to create sustainable funding models for communities. There’s so much untapped potential in Africa’s developer ecosystem. As more tech giants recognise the importance of community-driven innovation, we want to be at the forefront of empowering the next generation of leaders. We’re also exploring new ways to incorporate emerging technologies into our community management strategies to ensure these communities stay ahead of the curve.

What’s next for Community Leads Africa? Are there any exciting projects in the pipeline?

We’re constantly evolving, and we have some exciting projects lined up. One of our key initiatives for the next year is to expand our mentorship program to include more specialised areas such as AI and blockchain, where there’s a growing demand for developer communities. We’re also working on partnerships with tech companies to offer funding and other resources to help community managers sustain their activities in the long run.

Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring community managers or those looking to get involved in building developer communities?

My advice is simple: Stay curious, stay patient, and always prioritise your community’s needs. Building a sustainable community isn’t an overnight process. It requires consistent effort, empathy, and a deep understanding of what drives your members. The more you invest in understanding your community’s needs, the more successful your efforts will be. Remember, community management is not just about managing people; it’s about building relationships and creating spaces where everyone feels they belong.