Bridging the Digital Divide: How Enoch Eholor’s Syntax Is Making Tech Skills Accessible and Engaging
For many, learning to code is a daunting, solitary journey. But for Enoch Osadebamewn Eholor, a developer who started coding at just 13 years old, that isolation revealed a critical gap in tech education. While studying in university, he began teaching tech skills to his roommates, and a powerful idea took root: What if learning to code felt as engaging and structured as learning a language on Duolingo? That simple yet transformative question led to the creation of Syntax, a gamified platform designed to close the digital skills divide for Africans and other underserved communities.
Syntax is more than just an app—it’s a vibrant, community-driven ecosystem that supports learners from their first line of code to their first tech job. In this exclusive conversation with Techtrends Africa, Enoch shares his journey from self-taught coder to visionary founder, and how Syntax is redefining tech education for a new generation.
What Gave Birth to Syntax?
Enoch Osadebamewn Eholor: I’ve been a developer since I was about 13, and I’ve seen where the pitfalls are. I was learning a bit, but I wasn’t building or part of any communities. Last year, when I was in my first year at university, I was teaching my roommates tech skills. At the time, I was practicing on Duolingo, and I thought: what if we had Duolingo for tech skills? Before I knew it, I ran with that idea, and it took form—leading me to start this company.
Which Challenge Are You Solving, and for Whom?
As I touched on earlier, I’m solving lapses in tech skills learning, especially for Africans and other underserved markets. This challenge exacerbates the worldwide digital skills divide. We are targeting users in schools as well as young professionals between the ages of 8 and 39.
How Does Syntax Work?
Syntax is a gamified platform that uses challenge-based visual lessons paired with a vibrant community filled with activities, events, and a career development focus. In essence, we capture the whole learning experience in one app. It uses a blend of new, refined, and innovative teaching methods to ensure engagement, growth, and continuous development.
What Has Been Your Toughest Challenge as a Founder?
The biggest challenge for me has been financing and building trust with people. I personally don’t have a well-known brand or a wide network. Building both the business and myself simultaneously is a major issue—but in the words of somebody, “we dey match am” [we’re pushing through].
How Is Syntax Making a Real Difference for Users?
We are dedicated to making the best product possible by building not only for the tech community but with them. This approach has helped us improve the original concept from “Duolingo for tech skills” to “Duolingo meets GitHub and LinkedIn for tech skills.” The community and career aspects help users not only learn but build, develop their careers, and grow—ensuring they don’t just learn and forget.
What Goals and Milestones Are You Targeting Next?
Currently, we’re focused on developing our demo. We’re about to start our initial marketing push on social media this month. This front-facing effort is paired with behind-the-scenes partnerships with pre-existing communities, so we’ll have an active community ready at beta launch.
What Trends Do You See Shaping the African Tech Ecosystem?
I think in the next few years, Afro-focused solutions, AI, and agritech will shape how we implement tech in our day-to-day lives. EdTech, of course, will continue to grow exponentially—it’s a complementary field that thrives alongside any tech trend.
What Advice Would You Give to Upcoming African Founders?
No matter how humongous the idea seems, just build it. It doesn’t have to be perfect or even good at first—showing that you’re working on it trumps everything else.
From a dorm-room idea to a platform with the potential to empower thousands, Syntax represents a new wave of accessible, community-driven tech education. Enoch Eholor’s story is a powerful reminder that some of the most impactful solutions begin with a simple question and the courage to pursue it.
We welcome sign-ups, feedback, collaborations, and investment. Join us on this journey:
- Website: syntaxlearn.vercel.app
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram, TikTok, YouTube: @syntaxapp
Editor’s Note:
At Techtrends Africa, we believe stories like Syntax’s remind us that innovation in Africa is not just about technology, but about resilience, purpose, and the courage to solve problems that matter. Founders like Enoch Eholor are shaping a future where digital skills are within everyone’s reach, and we’ll continue spotlighting such changemakers across the continent.
Have a story to share? Know an African founder making waves? Pitch their story to [email protected] and let’s tell it to the world.
