Reflections on My Africa DevOps Summit Experience

Reflecting on my recent experience at the Africa DevOps Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya on October 26th, I can confidently say it was more than just a talk; it was a defining moment. Sometimes, in the journey of professional growth, we look for something to affirm that we’re on the right path. This summit did that for me. It was the push I didn’t know I needed, a powerful reminder of why I need to continue to step on stage as an agent of impact and stop hoarding the knowledge I have gathered in the past years.

Two things are on the top list of what gives me a sense of fulfillment; one of them is the knowledge I am able to gather as I advance in my career, the second and most important is the privilege to be able to share them with people and also help others benefit from my wealth of knowledge.

I’m passionate about taking complex subjects and transforming them into digestible, relatable pieces. My goal is simple: to make learning intuitive and relatable for everyone and I employed this method as I spoke on “From startup to scaleup; system design for everyone”. In this talk, I bridged technical intricacies and practical application, using a birthday party scenario to liken and breakdown system design terms. I shared strategies that startups can use to grow and scale effectively, and I was thrilled to hear from the attendees that my approach made these concepts relatable, and they could see immediate applications for their own projects.

Before stepping onto that stage, a familiar rush filled me — the one that always hits right before speaking. It’s a mix of excitement and anticipation, with a dash of nerves. I wondered, “Will they connect with my message? Will I be able to engage and inspire?” But as soon as I started, something shifted. The energy in the room lifted me, and I found myself fully present, immersed in my own world and in total command of the stage. From there, the talk took on a life of its own, and I knew in that moment that I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

Every public speaker treasures moments of connection, but there were times at this summit that felt almost surreal. People approached me after my talk asking for photos, handshakes, and even autograph-like moments. Hearing how much they enjoyed my session, how it resonated, was overwhelming. Their feedback reminded me why I do what I do — there’s no greater thrill than knowing that your work makes a difference.

After the talk, my LinkedIn and other social feeds were flooded with messages, retweets, and posts from attendees. It’s humbling when people remember your words, not just in passing, but enough to share their reflections online. These moments reaffirmed to me the power of connection and the importance of sharing knowledge. Attendees tweeted about key insights from my presentation, capturing not only the technical aspects but the deeper message I aimed to impart.

If there’s one thing this experience taught me, it’s that there’s immense value in sharing knowledge and in the conversations that follow. The Africa DevOps Summit was more than an event; it was a reminder that teaching is as much about storytelling as it is about making impact.

he return flight from Kenya to Lagos was not as smooth as I had hoped. The long journey, with multiple stops, left me feeling completely drained. Yet, as I reflected on the impact I had made at the summit, that exhaustion faded into the background. Knowing that I had connected with so many people and left them with valuable insights made the challenging trip home feel worthwhile. Sometimes, the journey may be tough, but the purpose makes it all worth it.

On to the next Stage!