By Oluwafunke Kofoworade

In an era where digital products shape global markets, a transformative movement is quietly reshaping the product management landscape not from Silicon Valley, but from the heart of Africa. Founded in Lagos in 2022, TechProductGems (TPG), a community I am proud to lead, is redefining how tech professionals grow, connect, and thrive. With over 1,000 members across 20+ time zones, TPG is not just a network, it’s a movement that’s making product management more inclusive, human-centered, and impactful.

A Community Born from Necessity

The early 2020s saw product management explode as a critical discipline, yet access to training, mentorship, and opportunities remained uneven, particularly for African professionals. Many faced a fragmented journey, navigating jargon-heavy resources, costly bootcamps, and exclusive global networks that felt out of reach.

TechProductGems was born to bridge this gap. What started as informal check-ins among a handful of Lagos-based product managers has grown into a vibrant, pan-African community, stretching from Nigeria to Ghana and beyond. Unlike traditional networks that prioritize credentials or exclusivity, TPG is built on empathy, shared experiences, and a commitment to collective growth. Our mission is simple: ensure no product professional navigates their journey alone.

A New Model for Growth

TechProductGems isn’t a bootcamp promising quick fixes or certifications. Instead, it offers something far more valuable: a safe space to learn openly, ask vulnerable questions, and grow without judgment. Our community thrives on peer-driven support, hosting over 100 virtual events and 12+ in-person gatherings since our founding. Monthly mentorship calls connect members with senior product leaders from top companies in Nigeria, the UK, Canada, and beyond. These sessions cover everything from career navigation and product critiques to interview prep and peer feedback.

As Tounayo David, one of our community mentors, aptly puts it: “TPG holds space for accountability and encouragement. It’s not about competition—it’s about collaboration.” This ethos resonates deeply with members like David Ateno, a Nairobi-based product analyst who credits TPG’s guidance and mock interview sessions for landing his first product management role. “This community made me feel like I belonged,” he shares. “It gave me clarity and confidence to grow.”

Breaking the Mold of Exclusivity

Product management can often feel like an elite club, defined by insider jargon, prestigious networks, and expensive training. TPG dismantles these barriers with an inclusive, accessible model. Most of our offerings are free or low-cost, making them attainable for early-career professionals and those transitioning from fields like engineering, marketing, or design.

By prioritizing human connection over hierarchy, TPG empowers professionals to see themselves as part of the global tech narrative. Our community reflects the diversity of its members, with leadership, language, and culture rooted in African perspectives while embracing global aspirations. As we plan to expand into the US, UK, and parts of Europe, TPG aims to serve as a bridge, connecting emerging talent with opportunities in the global tech ecosystem.

A Human-Centered Vision for the Future

At its core, TechProductGems is about more than building better careers, it’s about building better people. In an industry often obsessed with metrics and growth hacks, we believe great products stem from people who care deeply, connect authentically, and collaborate purposefully.

This human-centered ethos sets TPG apart. It’s a reminder that mentorship should be mutual, growth should be shared, and no one should walk their professional journey alone. As the product management landscape evolves, communities like TPG prove that global impact doesn’t require a Silicon Valley address. Sometimes, all it takes is a Zoom link, a mentor who listens, and a community that sees your potential before the world does.

TechProductGems is more than a network, it’s a movement. And as we continue to grow, we’re committed to showing the world that Africa’s tech talent isn’t just ready to participate-it’s ready to lead.

About the Author

Oluwafunke Kofoworade is the founder of TechProductGems, a pan-African community empowering product professionals through mentorship, connection, and shared growth. With a passion for inclusive tech ecosystems, she is driving a movement to make product management accessible to all.