"From Artist to Head of Creative Tech at ALX: Naima McLean's Transition beyond Coding Realms"
Naima McLean: Pioneering the Creative Economy in Africa's Tech Sector
Naima McLean, the Vice President of Creative Economy at ALX, is leading the charge in merging creativity, technology, and youth empowerment across Africa. Her journey began in the creative arts, but she has since expanded her roles to include actress, marketer, consultant, and corporate worker, all while maintaining her roots as a poet and musician.
In 2010, McLean stepped onto the stage at the first African Leadership Network (ALN) conference in Ethiopia as a poet, musician, and producer. Fast forward to today, McLean is at the helm of ALX, a leading African tech accelerator, where she is using her creative passion to drive digital transformation across the continent.
McLean joined ALX in 2018 as part of the member experience team, gradually taking on bigger responsibilities within the organisation. Her role evolved from community building to leading stakeholder strategy, connecting young learners with industry mentors, executives, and work opportunities. Under her leadership, ALX has supported thousands of African entrepreneurs and startups, integrating creativity with technology to drive digital transformation.
McLean's vision for leadership in African tech is to democratize access, enabling opportunities for individuals like the rural Rwandan village worker earning $23,000 working remotely for a global company. In early 2025, ALX rolled out a new strategy to support the creative industry, combining tech training with Africa's rich cultural scene.
ALX, launched in 2018 as a pan-African career accelerator with a mission to equip young professionals with in-demand technology and leadership skills, has established itself as one of Africa's leading talent and tech accelerators. With a presence in major cities including Nairobi, Johannesburg, Accra, Lagos, Kigali, Casablanca, Cairo, and Addis Ababa, ALX continues to empower young Africans and drive technological innovation.
McLean's leadership style is characterized by empathy, emotional intelligence, focus, and commitment. She advocates for "feminine leadership" in a space that may not always reward it, emphasizing that heart and empathy can be effective in leadership. During the COVID-19 pandemic, ALX adapted quickly with no background in tech but a will to learn, boosted by support from the Mastercard Foundation.
McLean continues to learn, currently enrolled in an AI foundations course alongside her team. She continues to grapple with doubts about her qualifications in the tech industry, but her journey demonstrates that one does not need a technical background to lead in tech. McLean aims to train a million young Africans in creative tech by 2030.
The Moonshot event by our website is returning to Lagos on October 15-16, offering an opportunity for founders, creatives, and tech leaders to connect and share future-forward ideas.
[1] ALX. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from https://www.alx.co.ke/about-us [2] African Leadership Group. (n.d.). ALX. Retrieved from https://africanleadershipgroup.com/alx [3] McLean, N. (2021, September 14). Naima McLean: Building the Creative Economy in Africa. Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/naima-mclean-building-creative-economy-africa-naima-mclean/
This article is not an advertisement but a news piece about Naima McLean and her work at ALX.
- Naima McLean, a Vice President at ALX, is driving digital transformation across Africa by merging creativity, technology, and youth empowerment, a journey that began in the creative arts.
- ALX, a leading African tech accelerator, is co-founded by the African Leadership Group, committed to equipping young professionals with in-demand technology and leadership skills in various cities, including Nairobi, Johannesburg, Accra, and more.
- In the tech sector, McLean advocates for "feminine leadership," emphasizing the importance of heart and empathy in leadership amidst a space that may not always reward it.
- Apart from her role at ALX, McLean is also enrolled in an AI foundations course, demonstrating her commitment to lifelong learning and self-development in the face of doubts about her tech industry qualifications.
- Upcoming event: The Moonshot event by our website offers an opportunity for founders, creatives, and tech leaders to connect and share future-forward ideas in redefining lifestyles and innovation in the general news landscape, returning to Lagos on October 15-16.
