About McTaba
McTaba Labs is a Nairobi-based software engineering programme built around the African Stack: M-Pesa, USSD, and WhatsApp. We run a 6-month bootcamp (our "marathon") and a set of self-paced Academy courses for learners who need a different format.
This hub answers every question prospective students ask us. What does the bootcamp cost? Is it worth the investment? How does it compare to ALX or Moringa? Which Academy course should you start with? What do graduates actually do after finishing? You will find honest answers here, including where we think other programmes might be a better fit for your situation.
If you searched for "maktaba," "marktaba," "mactaba," or any other variation of our name, you are in the right place. McTaba is inspired by the Swahili word maktaba (library). We are the modern library for African developers.
Articles in this topic
What Is McTaba? The Nairobi Bootcamp Reinventing How Africans Learn to Code
McTaba is a Nairobi-based coding marathon that trains developers to build for the African market. Here is what we teach, how we teach it, who it is for, and why we built it the way we did.
McTaba vs Maktaba: Yes, You're in the Right Place (And Here's What We Do)
If you searched maktaba, marktaba, or mactaba and ended up here, welcome. McTaba Labs is a Nairobi-based coding bootcamp whose name comes from the Swahili word maktaba (library). Here is who we are and what we offer.
McTaba Bootcamp Review: An Honest Look at the 6-Month Marathon
We reviewed our own bootcamp. Here is what the 6-month marathon actually involves, what it costs, what graduates walk away with, and who should not apply.
McTaba Academy: Which Course Should You Take First?
Not sure which McTaba Academy course to start with? This guide breaks down all four options by experience level, goals, and budget so you can pick the right one.
How Much Does the McTaba Bootcamp Cost? (And What You Actually Get)
A transparent breakdown of what the McTaba bootcamp costs, what the price includes, how to pay via M-Pesa, and how it compares to university degrees, other bootcamps, and self-teaching.
Is McTaba Worth It? A Decision Guide for Aspiring African Developers
An honest decision framework for the McTaba bootcamp. Real costs, time commitment, who benefits most, who should look elsewhere, and how to test the waters before committing KES 100,000.
McTaba's M-Pesa Integration Course: Who It's For and What You'll Build
A detailed look at McTaba Academy's M-Pesa Integration for Developers course. What it covers, who should take it, the prerequisites, and what you walk away with.
From Zero to AI-Powered Apps: Inside McTaba's Full-Stack & AI Engineering Course
Everything you need to know about McTaba's self-paced Full-Stack Software & AI Engineering course: what it covers, how it compares to the live bootcamp, who it is built for, and whether it is worth KES 120,000.
Tech Foundations: Before You Code. Should You Start Here?
Not sure if you are ready to learn to code? Tech Foundations: Before You Code is a KES 2,999 course that gives absolute beginners the concepts they need before writing their first line of code. Here is what it covers and who benefits most.
Deploying Your First Production App: Why Most Bootcamp Grads Skip This (And Why McTaba Doesn't)
You can build a full-stack app on your laptop, but the moment someone asks for the URL, you go quiet. This guide explains the deployment gap, what it costs you professionally, and how to close it.
What McTaba Bootcamp Graduates Are Actually Doing (Real Outcomes, 2026)
A transparent look at what McTaba graduates are doing after the 6-month marathon. Employment types, realistic timelines, the skills that open doors, and the gaps we are still working on.
A Day in the Life of a McTaba Marathoner (Nairobi, 2026)
What does an average day look like inside the McTaba marathon? From the morning commute through Nairobi traffic to late-evening debugging sessions, here is the full picture of what you are signing up for.
Why We Called It McTaba: The Story Behind the Name (and the Misspellings)
People search for us as maktaba, marktaba, mactaba, and a dozen other variations. Here is the real story behind the name McTaba, what it means, and why we chose it.
McTaba FAQ: Everything People Ask Us About Our Bootcamp and Academy
Every question we get asked about the McTaba bootcamp and Academy, answered honestly. From "Is it McTaba or Maktaba?" to pricing, admissions, what you need to apply, and what happens after you graduate.
Ready to build real-world apps?
Join the McTaba Labs full-stack marathon (4 months full-time · 6 months part-time). Learn M-Pesa, USSD, and WhatsApp engineering while shipping 8 production apps.
Apply to the McTaba Marathon