McTaba FAQ: Everything People Ask Us About Our Bootcamp and Academy

These are the questions we hear from people who just discovered us and are trying to figure out what exactly McTaba is. Fair enough. Let us clear things up.

Is it McTaba or Maktaba?

It is McTaba. One word, capital M, capital T. The name is inspired by "maktaba," the Swahili and Arabic word for library, but we shortened and stylised it for the brand. If you searched for maktaba, mactaba, marktaba, or mc taba, you are in the right place. We have a full breakdown of the name if you are curious about the history.

What is McTaba Labs?

McTaba Labs is the full company name. It is a coding bootcamp and tech education company based in Nairobi, Kenya. We run two products: the McTaba marathon (our flagship bootcamp, available as a 4-month full-time or 6-month part-time track) and McTaba Academy (self-paced online courses). When people say "McTaba," "McTaba Labs," or "the McTaba bootcamp," they are all referring to us.

Is maktaba academy the same as McTaba Academy?

If you are searching for "maktaba academy," you are almost certainly looking for McTaba Academy. We are the same company. McTaba Academy is our self-paced online learning platform, while the McTaba marathon is our bootcamp programme, offered in both a 4-month full-time and a 6-month part-time track. Different products, same team, same curriculum philosophy.

Where is McTaba Kenya located?

McTaba is based in Nairobi, Kenya. The marathon runs from our physical location in Nairobi, with remote participation available for learners who cannot be on-site. Academy courses are fully online and accessible from anywhere.

Who runs McTaba?

McTaba was founded by Bonaventure Ogeto, a software developer who spent years building products for the African market before starting the bootcamp. The team includes experienced developers and mentors who have worked across Kenyan startups, fintechs, and international companies. For more background, read our full story.

The marathon is our flagship programme. Here is what people want to know before they commit.

How much does the McTaba bootcamp cost?

KES 100,000 for the full marathon, whether you choose the 4-month full-time track or the 6-month part-time track (evenings and Saturdays). Both cover the same curriculum. That price covers live instruction, mentor access, project reviews, career support, and lifetime community access. No hidden fees. We have a detailed cost breakdown if you want the full picture.

How long is the mctaba bootcamp?

The marathon is available in two tracks: a 4-month full-time track (40+ hours per week) and a 6-month part-time track (evenings and Saturdays). Both cover the same curriculum. We call it a marathon, not a sprint, because the length is intentional. Shorter bootcamps often leave graduates with surface-level skills. Either track gives you time to build real projects, get stuck, figure things out, and develop genuine fluency.

What does the bootcamp teach?

Four layers: (1) core full-stack development with JavaScript, TypeScript, React, Node.js, and PostgreSQL; (2) the African Stack, meaning M-Pesa integration, WhatsApp Business API, and USSD development; (3) AI engineering, including building with LLMs, RAG systems, and AI coding tools; and (4) deployment, portfolio building, and career preparation. By the end, you will have built and deployed 8+ production-grade projects.

Is the mctaba bootcamp full-time or part-time?

Both. The marathon offers a 4-month full-time track and a 6-month part-time track (evenings and Saturdays). Both tracks cover the same curriculum and cost the same. If you have a full-time job, the part-time track lets you learn without quitting your day job. If you want to go all in, the full-time track gets you there faster. Our Academy courses are also available as a fully self-paced option for people who need even more flexibility.

What is the daily schedule like?

A typical day starts with a short concept introduction, followed by hours of project-based work. This is not a lecture hall. Most of your time is spent building, debugging, and getting code reviews from mentors. The balance between instruction and hands-on work shifts toward more independent project time as you progress through the programme.

Can I attend the mctaba bootcamp remotely?

Yes, remote participation is available. The marathon is designed around our Nairobi location, but learners outside Nairobi can join remotely. Academy courses are fully online by default.

McTaba Academy is our self-paced alternative. These questions come from people deciding between the marathon and individual courses.

What courses does McTaba Academy offer?

Currently available courses:

• Tech Foundations: Before You Code (KES 2,999) for complete beginners.
• Full-Stack Software & AI Engineering (KES 120,000) covering 16 weeks of material at your own pace.
• M-Pesa Integration for Developers (KES 9,999) for developers who want to add M-Pesa to their skill set.
• Deployment & Going Live (KES 4,999) covering how to get your apps live with custom domains and CI/CD.

See our full Academy courses guide for detailed breakdowns of each one.

Are Academy courses self-paced?

Yes, completely. You get lifetime access to the course materials and can work through them on your own schedule. There are no deadlines or cohort start dates for Academy courses. The trade-off is that you do not get the live mentorship, cohort accountability, or daily structure of the marathon.

Which course should I start with?

If you are completely new to coding, start with Tech Foundations: Before You Code (KES 2,999). It is designed as a low-risk way to figure out whether software development is something you want to pursue. If you already know some JavaScript and want a specific skill, the M-Pesa Integration or Deployment courses are focused and practical.

We get a lot of questions about who can apply and what the process looks like. Short version: we care about commitment, not credentials.

How do I apply to McTaba Nairobi?

Apply through the McTaba website. The process includes a short conversation to understand your goals, your current level, and whether the marathon is the right fit for your situation. We do not have an entrance exam or a coding test. We are looking for people who are serious about committing to the programme, not people who already know how to code.

Do I need a university degree to join?

No. We do not require a degree, a diploma, or any formal qualification. Some of our learners have degrees in computer science, some have degrees in completely unrelated fields, and some do not have a degree at all. What matters is your willingness to learn and your ability to commit to the programme.

Is there an age limit?

No formal age limit. Our learners have ranged from recent high school graduates to professionals in their late thirties making career changes. If you can commit the time and you are genuinely motivated, age is not a factor.

Do I need prior coding experience?

No. The marathon starts from the fundamentals. However, if you have never touched code before, we recommend completing our Tech Foundations: Before You Code course first (KES 2,999). It gives you a head start on the basics and helps confirm that coding is something you actually enjoy before you invest KES 100,000 and six months of your life.

When is the next cohort?

Cohort dates are announced on the McTaba website and through our social media channels. Apply early, as cohorts have limited spots to keep the mentor-to-learner ratio manageable.

Money questions deserve straight answers. Here is how payment works.

Can I pay with M-Pesa?

Yes. M-Pesa is the primary payment method. For the marathon, use Paybill 880100, Account PAYMACTABA. Academy courses can also be paid via M-Pesa.

Are there instalment plans for the bootcamp?

Contact the McTaba team directly to discuss instalment options. Some learners have arranged payment schedules that spread the KES 100,000 over several months. Do not assume you cannot afford it before asking.

Is there a refund policy?

Reach out to the team for the current refund policy details. As a general principle, we would rather have an honest conversation before you enrol than deal with refund situations after. If you are not sure the marathon is right for you, start with a KES 2,999 Academy course and see how coding feels before making the bigger commitment.

Can I pay with a credit card or bank transfer?

M-Pesa is the primary payment method. For other options (bank transfer, card payment), contact the McTaba team directly.

The question behind every other question: will this actually help me get a job? Here is what we can honestly say.

Will McTaba help me get a job?

We provide career support including portfolio reviews, mock interviews, CV feedback, and introductions to hiring partners in the Kenyan tech ecosystem. What we do not do is guarantee job placement. Any bootcamp that promises you a job is either misleading you or attaching conditions you have not read yet. What we can tell you is that our graduates leave with 8+ deployed projects, practical M-Pesa and AI skills, and a professional network. Those things make you significantly more competitive in the Kenyan job market.

What salary can I expect after graduating?

Junior developer salaries in Nairobi typically range from KES 40,000 to 80,000 per month. Developers with M-Pesa integration and African Stack skills tend to land at the higher end. After 2 to 3 years of experience, mid-level salaries climb to KES 120,000 to 250,000+. Remote roles for international companies can pay significantly more. See our African developer salaries guide for detailed breakdowns.

What kind of companies hire McTaba graduates?

Kenyan fintechs, logistics startups, digital agencies, NGO tech teams, and increasingly, international companies hiring remote developers from Africa. The M-Pesa and WhatsApp skills are particularly valuable to companies building products for the East African market. Some graduates also start freelancing or building their own products.

Is there an alumni network?

Yes. When you complete the marathon, you keep access to the McTaba community. This is where job referrals get shared, former learners help each other debug production issues, and collaboration on side projects happens. The network grows with each cohort.

Practical questions about what you need before day one.

What laptop do I need?

Any laptop made in the last 5 to 6 years with at least 8GB of RAM will work. Mac, Windows, or Linux are all fine. You do not need a brand-new MacBook Pro. A KES 40,000 to 60,000 refurbished laptop from Nairobi's computer shops will handle everything in the curriculum. The key is that it should run a modern browser and a code editor (VS Code) without freezing.

What about internet?

You need a stable internet connection. If you are attending in person at the Nairobi location, connectivity is provided. For remote learners, a home Wi-Fi connection or a reliable mobile hotspot with a reasonable data bundle is necessary. Video calls, package installations, and deployments all require internet. Budget for at least a moderate data plan if you are relying on mobile data.

What programming languages will I learn?

JavaScript and TypeScript are the primary languages. They cover both frontend (React) and backend (Node.js) development, which makes them the most versatile choice for the Kenyan market. You will also work with SQL for database queries. AI modules use Python in some contexts. The focus is on depth in one language stack rather than surface exposure to five different languages.

Do I need to install anything before starting?

The programme walks you through setting up your development environment in the first week. You will install VS Code, Node.js, Git, and a few other free tools. If you want to get a head start, our Tech Foundations course covers setup basics. But do not stress about this. We do not expect you to arrive with everything configured perfectly.