PLA Africa

Join Us

.

Join waitlist for next cohort

Build for the Continent.

Lead the Future.

Build for the Continent.

Lead the Future.

The foremost Product Management Accelerator Program dedicated to addressing African challenges. Bridge the divide between global PM methodologies and the realities of African markets through discovery and practical problem-solving scenarios.

Apply to Join the Next Cohort

Partner with Us

[WHY ARE WE HERE?]

The PLA is building for Africa

The PLA is building

for Africa

The PLA is building for Africa

Silicon Valley Playbooks Won't Solve Africa's Problems. Our product leaders are solving real challenges.

Connectivity & Offline Access

Creating solutions for the "next billion" users with limited internet and data availability.

The Payments Challenge

Navigating a complex mix of non-credit-card-first economy, mobile money, cash, and emerging fintech ecosystems.

Logistics & Infrastructure

Overcoming last-mile hurdles in fast-growing urban centers.

Cultural Diversity

Adapting products to suit a wide range of languages, traditions, and consumer behaviors.

Trust Deficits

Designing for users who prioritize human-centric verification.

[The Program]

The PLA Framework

PHASE O1

Contextual Discovery

Focus: Deep Market Research

Learn to conduct user research in informal markets and low-trust communities.

PHASE O2

Solution Architecture

Focus:Infrastructure-Aware Design

Build prototypes and solutions that work across low-end devices and inconsistent networks.

PHASE O3

Strategic Growth

Focus: Scaling Across Borders

Navigating growth across heterogeneous markets and cultures.

PHASE O4

Leadership & Influence

Focus: Stakeholder Management

Mastering the boardroom while managing relationships with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders.

Apply to Join the Next Cohort

[HOW WE HELP]

PLA Offerings at a Glance

Whether you're an individual product leader or an entire team, PLA has a solution for you.

For Individuals

12-Week Accelerator Program

-- Real-World Problem Solving for Africa

Obtain more than just a certificate; learn and apply first-hand the Product Operating Model within the African context, from seasoned Product leaders in Africa, Silicon Valley and beyond.

Download the Cohort Brochure

For Teams

PLA Corporate Training

-- Customized. On-Demand. Context-Aware.

Empower your product managers and teams with the frameworks they need to solve the unique challenges of your organisation, within the African continent.

Request a Custom Training Proposal

[sUCCESS STORIES]

What Our Fellows & Partners Say

Before joining PLA, I misunderstood product management as just writing PRDs and roadmaps. PLA taught me to love the problem, connect with users, and embrace discovery. Another major shift was realising you build with users, not for them. PLA taught me to engage users continuously, testing assumptions and validating insights. It transformed me into a problem-obsessed, user-driven, discovery-minded product manager. My user interviews were biased before PLA. I entered conversations with opinions, subtly leading users. Through PLA’s coaching, I learned to ask open-ended questions, uncovering insights that completely shifted our problem narrative—something impossible without this skill.
Oyin
I experienced a significant career milestone after the PLA program, where I connected with a founder at the Inspire Africa Conference, who invited me to join his health-tech startup as a Product Lead—a big step up in responsibility. The PLA program directly prepared me for this role. The Product Operating Model, especially continuous discovery, helped me introduce structured product practices. Using discovery frameworks like problem interviews and hypothesis prioritization, I guided the team from assumption-driven development to evidence-based decisions.
This shift reduced engineering waste and aligned work with validated user needs, enabling me to succeed from day one.
John Sylvester
Before the accelerator, I might not have paused to think differently before building. During the course of the 12-week program, I applied lessons learnt into "SlikRide", a leanstart-up my friend and I started, validating on-demand vehicle service in underserved cities starting from Ogbomoso.
Today, everything still runs on WhatsApp as we test assumptions. I’ll never forget our first week: 14 rides and 1 delivery completed, a mix of shock and excitement! PLA taught me to fall in love with the problem, not the solution.
Richard
Before PLA, I mainly worked in an administrative role within product management, relying heavily on instructions from my boss. I sensed issues but couldn’t articulate them or propose improvements. I felt stuck and unsure how to grow beyond basic tasks.
The first PLA session with Chidi gave me clarity on my role, gaps in our product practice, and how to think strategically. I started applying these insights, shifting from following instructions to contributing ideas and leading discussions. This transformation boosted my confidence and influence, leading to a promotion from Associate, Product and Customer Success Lead to Senior Associate, Product and Customer Success after the Rwanda immersion trip.
Seun
After Kulaba attended the PLA Fellowship, we noticed a clear, positive shift in him. He became more confident and structured in guiding innovators. His thinking is now grounded in understanding real problems, users, and value. This shows in how he plans, asks questions, and supports teams—everything is more focused. It’s refreshing to see him bring product-thinking into our work. Aggrey’s growth has strengthened how we design and run programs at UNIPOD. Tools and frameworks he introduced improved communication, meeting structure, and alignment. Projects are clearer, and work is smoother. I highly recommend this program to NGOs and the public sector.
Annet Nakandi
Before joining the PLA, I didn’t truly understand Product Management. At my old job, I was called a 'Product Manager,' but I was really just managing developers and timelines. PLA showed me how complex and fascinating it is. I’ve learned to keep questioning until I reach the final 'why,' making my work and the developers' work easier. I now see the importance of avoiding bias, validating with customers, and truly understanding them to define and refine problem statements. Thank you, PLA.
Dani

Before joining PLA, I misunderstood product management as just writing PRDs and roadmaps. PLA taught me to love the problem, connect with users, and embrace discovery. Another major shift was realising you build with users, not for them. PLA taught me to engage users continuously, testing assumptions and validating insights. It transformed me into a problem-obsessed, user-driven, discovery-minded product manager. My user interviews were biased before PLA. I entered conversations with opinions, subtly leading users. Through PLA’s coaching, I learned to ask open-ended questions, uncovering insights that completely shifted our problem narrative—something impossible without this skill.
Oyin
I experienced a significant career milestone after the PLA program, where I connected with a founder at the Inspire Africa Conference, who invited me to join his health-tech startup as a Product Lead—a big step up in responsibility. The PLA program directly prepared me for this role. The Product Operating Model, especially continuous discovery, helped me introduce structured product practices. Using discovery frameworks like problem interviews and hypothesis prioritization, I guided the team from assumption-driven development to evidence-based decisions.
This shift reduced engineering waste and aligned work with validated user needs, enabling me to succeed from day one.
John Sylvester
Before the accelerator, I might not have paused to think differently before building. During the course of the 12-week program, I applied lessons learnt into "SlikRide", a leanstart-up my friend and I started, validating on-demand vehicle service in underserved cities starting from Ogbomoso. Today, everything still runs on WhatsApp as we test assumptions. I’ll never forget our first week: 14 rides and 1 delivery completed, a mix of shock and excitement! PLA taught me to fall in love with the problem, not the solution.
Richard
Before PLA, I mainly worked in an administrative role within product management, relying heavily on instructions from my boss. I sensed issues but couldn’t articulate them or propose improvements. I felt stuck and unsure how to grow beyond basic tasks.The first PLA session with Chidi gave me clarity on my role, gaps in our product practice, and how to think strategically. I started applying these insights, shifting from following instructions to contributing ideas and leading discussions. This transformation boosted my confidence and influence, leading to a promotion from Associate, Product and Customer Success Lead to Senior Associate, Product and Customer Success after the Rwanda immersion trip.
Seun
After Kulaba attended the PLA Fellowship, we noticed a clear, positive shift in him. He became more confident and structured in guiding innovators. His thinking is now grounded in understanding real problems, users, and value. This shows in how he plans, asks questions, and supports teams—everything is more focused. It’s refreshing to see him bring product-thinking into our work. Aggrey’s growth has strengthened how we design and run programs at UNIPOD. Tools and frameworks he introduced improved communication, meeting structure, and alignment. Projects are clearer, and work is smoother. I highly recommend this program to NGOs and the public sector.
Annet Nakandi
Before joining the PLA, I didn’t truly understand Product Management. At my old job, I was called a 'Product Manager,' but I was really just managing developers and timelines. PLA showed me how complex and fascinating it is. I’ve learned to keep questioning until I reach the final 'why,' making my work and the developers' work easier. I now see the importance of avoiding bias, validating with customers, and truly understanding them to define and refine problem statements. Thank you, PLA.
Dani