African Unicorn is looking for curious people who enjoy solving problems and want to grow through practical software development.
We build to solve real problems. Our larger ambition is an immersive, connected ecosystem of businesses, products and services that brings people, businesses and systems together. We want useful ideas and connections to travel further, and we build around the problems people actually face.
This internship is for someone who wants to understand a problem, work with the people experiencing it, and help build a useful solution.
The role is based in Harare and combines remote development, field days and involvement in operations. Some work may start directly with business owners, drivers and other people using our products.
Job Summary
- Employer: africanunicorn
- Job Type: Internship
- Location: Harare, Zimbabwe
- Category: Software Development
- Closing Date: 2026-09-14
Key Responsibilities
- You will help develop and improve software, investigate issues, test changes and explain your work.
- You will also spend time with users, business owners, drivers and other stakeholders to understand how our products fit into their work.
- Some assignments may begin in the field or in operations before you open a code editor.
- You will learn to work with AI coding agents as part of software development. We call this agentic engineering: breaking a problem into clear tasks, giving agents useful context, reviewing their output and testing the result.
Requirements
- Enjoy investigating problems and asking thoughtful questions.
- Have a foundation in programming and can show something they have built or explored.
- Want to learn through practical work and feedback.
- Can communicate clearly with technical and nontechnical people.
- Are willing to spend time in the field and learn from users and operations.
- Take responsibility for checking their work and explaining their decisions.
How to Apply
Apply by email: jobs@africanunicorn.co.zw
About the Company
African Unicorn is a visionary portfolio company based in Zimbabwe that focuses on empowering high-impact ventures. The firm operates by investing in bold ideas across a diverse range of industries to drive growth and innovation. By supporting scalable business models, they aim to foster economic development within the Zimbabwean market. Their approach centers on identifying and nurturing ventures that can achieve significant scale and impact.
Investing in Africa's Boldest Ideas
Website: https://africanunicorn.co.zw/
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications or certifications do I need for a software development internship in Zimbabwe?
Most employers expect a degree in Computer Science or a related field, but practical coding skills matter just as much. Bootcamp certificates or self-taught projects can be accepted if you demonstrate strong fundamentals. In Zimbabwe, having a solid GitHub portfolio often outweighs formal credentials.
What are common day-to-day responsibilities for a software development intern?
Interns typically work on real features, bug fixes, and writing unit tests under the guidance of senior developers. You may also attend stand-ups, participate in code reviews, and help with documentation. Expect to work with popular stacks like JavaScript, Python, or PHP depending on the company.
What is the local work culture and expectation for interns in Zimbabwean tech companies?
Zimbabwean tech workplaces mix formal hierarchy with a collaborative, mentorship-driven atmosphere. Punctuality and professional communication are valued, but interns are encouraged to ask questions. Remote or hybrid work has become common since the pandemic, though on-site attendance may still be expected for certain tasks.
What realistic career progression can I expect after this internship?
A successful internship often leads to a junior developer role after 6-12 months of proven performance. From there, you can grow to mid-level and senior positions, or branch into specialized areas like mobile or DevOps. In Zimbabwe, continuing to build a strong portfolio and networking within the local tech community is key.
What typical benefits do software development interns receive in Zimbabwe?
Intern benefits vary by employer, but you may get transport or lunch allowances, and sometimes medical aid or pension contributions after confirmation. Leave is typically in line with Zimbabwean labour law, which sets a minimum yearly leave. Most internships start with a stipend rather than a full salary, with increments based on performance.
How should I apply and what do employers in Zimbabwe look for in an intern?
Employers expect a targeted CV, a short cover letter, and links to your GitHub or portfolio projects. They look for problem-solving skills, willingness to learn, and familiarity with version control tools like Git. Show that you can work on real-world tasks by including personal or freelance projects that demonstrate your coding ability.
