On a warm Thursday morning at Mlimani City office park, Upendo Kimbe moves seamlessly between reviewing cloud certification content and checking in with her consulting team. As managing director of Cybergen, an ICT education and consulting firm she has led since 2015, Kimbe is a quiet force powering digital transformation across Tanzania.
Behind her calm demeanor lies over a decade of hands-on experience in IT leadership. Her journey from network administrator to industry pioneer reflects not only her own growth but also Tanzania’s urgent need for digital resilience. “Most organizations discover vulnerabilities only after something goes wrong,” she says, pausing during a system audit. “We want to change that mindset.”
Indeed, Cybergen’s very mission is built around transformation. Under Kimbe’s leadership, it has become a major provider of ICT certification training in Tanzania, working with both public and private sector clients to ensure their teams are technically equipped and security conscious. With services ranging from CISA Training in Tanzania to DevSecOps consulting and AI Training Tanzania, the company addresses the ever-evolving digital landscape head on.
From engineer to educator: a path forged through experience
Kimbe’s story begins like that of many young engineers. After studying computer engineering, she stepped into the workforce expecting her academic background to carry her forward. But she quickly realized that real world ICT challenges are rarely covered in lecture halls.
“University gives you fundamentals, but the real learning happens through hands on experience,” she reflects. Her early career included managing critical IT infrastructure in high stakes environments. It was here that she observed two worrying patterns: employees, though enthusiastic, lacked practical technical skills; and many companies had gaping security holes that were only noticed after damage had been done.
These experiences planted the seed for Cybergen. “When I thought about the kind of training I wished I had received, I realized others needed the same. So, I decided to create something for them,” she explains.
Building local capacity through hands-on training
Unlike many ICT training providers, Cybergen’s approach is grounded in accessibility and application. Training sessions are designed to deliver immediate value, whether they are happening at a government ministry in Dodoma, a bank headquarters in Dar es Salaam, or a rural education center in Mwanza.
“Employers don’t want theory, they want their teams to actually solve problems,” Kimbe says. That’s why most programs are five days, high impact courses that mix international certification with local relevance.
And the scope is wide. While cybersecurity training in Dar es Salaam remains a top demand, Cybergen also provides programs in Microsoft Azure, AWS, IT service management, and project leadership. Importantly, these courses are not limited to IT professionals. Legal teams, HR departments and even executive boards are increasingly enrolling.
“We are not just training technicians,” Kimbe explains. “We are building digital fluency across organizations.”
That cross functional focus is a major part of Cybergen’s success. Participants often praise how the programs don’t just teach them how to use tools but why they are essential to modern business.
Closing the cybersecurity gap
Beyond its training arm, Cybergen is making significant strides in secure software development. Through its DevSecOps consulting unit, the company is helping local development teams bake security into every stage of the product lifecycle.
“Security cannot be an afterthought,” Kimbe says firmly. “We show teams how to integrate security from day one through coding standards, automated tests and continuous monitoring.”
This is specially critical as more Tanzanian organizations build inhouse applications for finance, education, e-government and health. The demand for secure systems has grown alongside digital expansion.
“In one case, we helped a client catch a major vulnerability before their platform went live. That alone saved them millions,” she recalls.
These services have become particularly relevant as the government tightens enforcement of Tanzania’s data protection regulations. More and more organizations are seeking CISA Training in Tanzania to certify their compliance and demonstrate maturity in managing information systems securely.
Leading a movement not just a business
Despite her many accolades and achievements, Upendo Kimbe is not one to rest on her laurels. Her focus remains forward looking on how to close the digital skills gap in Tanzania and elevate local talent to global standards.
“We need more Tanzanians building our digital future and not just consuming what is made elsewhere,” she insists.
To support that goal, Cybergen has started youth focused initiatives, including internship programs and scholarships for female students pursuing tech careers. Some of these students have gone on to land roles in top tech companies and government agencies.
“It’s not about just filling jobs, it’s about creating a culture of innovation and responsibility,” she adds.
Meeting the nation’s urgent needs
Tanzania’s digital growth is accelerating. From mobile banking and e-commerce to e-health and national databases, nearly every sector now relies on well-trained ICT professionals. But with that opportunity comes risk.
“The more connected we become, the more vulnerable we are if we are not careful,” Kimbe warns.
That’s why Cybergen continues to evolve, recently launching an AI Training Tanzania module to prepare professionals for the ethical and practical implications of artificial intelligence. It’s not just about coding; it’s about using emerging technologies wisely and securely. “AI is powerful, but if we adopt it without understanding it, we will pay the price later,” she says.
As such, Cybergen’s future roadmap includes deeper partnerships with universities, industry bodies and global tech leaders to ensure Tanzania isn’t left behind in the next digital wave.
A legacy of empowerment
When asked about her proudest moment, Kimbe doesn’t mention awards or high-profile contracts. Instead, she speaks of a former student who transitioned from IT support staff to becoming a certified security analyst after passing through multiple Cybergen programs.
“She told me that training changed her life. That’s the legacy I want, not just business growth, but people growth,” Kimbe smiles.
It’s a sentiment that sums up her vision: a digital Tanzania where opportunity is not limited to the privileged few but open to anyone willing to learn.
The road ahead
As Tanzania enters a new phase of digital development, leaders like Upendo Kimbe are not just responding to market needs, they are anticipating them. By investing in skills, emphasizing security and empowering people from all backgrounds, Cybergen is ensuring that the country’s digital progress is sustainable and inclusive.
“Every digital asset we build, every system we help strengthen and every professional we train leaves a lasting legacy,” she says, standing by a whiteboard filled with cybersecurity workflows. “The result is a more resilient and secure future for Tanzania.”
From IT training in Tanzania to shaping national digital policy, Kimbe is not just building a company, she is building capacity. One program, one student and one solution at a time.