Peter Kazickas
Founder of Uncommon, Zimbabwe
Peter Kazickas is the founder of Uncommon, a social enterprise in Zimbabwe that uses technology education to tackle youth unemployment and connect young people to the global digital economy. An American with deep ties to the country, he has built Uncommon into a bridge between Zimbabwe’s young technologists and global opportunities, using his international networks to open doors that local talent are now stepping through.
Uncommon was born from the conviction that genius is everywhere but opportunity is not. What began with a handful of friends has grown into a bridge between Zimbabwe’s young technologists and the global digital economy. The model is bold but practical: train unemployed young adults in technology, support them to launch careers, and have them give back by teaching coding in schools. Out of that exchange, a movement has grown.
My connection to Zimbabwe began as a teenager, volunteering with a nonprofit that used sport to teach life skills. Within hours I was in Dzivarasekwa playing basketball until dark, sharing stories and laughs under the trees, and I felt completely at home. After graduating in the US and teaching coding in New York, I knew I belonged in Zimbabwe. I went back with friends, with laptops, and with the determination to build something together.
Young people are at the centre of everything we do Young people are the driving force behind Uncommon. Many of the greatest companies in history were started by young dreamers. Africa has more of them than anywhere else, and the timing could not be better. Cheap internet, renewable energy and artificial intelligence are giving this generation the tools to turn ideas into reality. At Uncommon we see young people who are ambitious, creative and fearless. Our role is to lift them up, to bet on them, and to give them the confidence and skills to thrive.
Our model has evolved with time. At first we hired young adults as coding instructors, but the JUDITH NEILSON FOUNDATION 2025 Leaders of change graduates in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. © Jackson Hyland-Lipski. Peter Kazickas (third from left), with Nedbank Innovation Hub ceiling was too low. We shifted to focus on their own careers, while keeping youth coding alive. Now, when someone joins our free Bootcamp, they get training, infrastructure, and a supportive community. In return, they teach coding in local schools, reaching tens of thousands of children. That combination builds selfconfidence, creates optimism for the future, and spreads the benefits of technology education far beyond the individual.
Global connections open doors that once felt out of reach. Each Bootcamp graduate is matched with a mentor from around the world, bringing expertise and encouragement. We connect graduates with remote internships and jobs through our talent marketplace, and we host guest speakers who share their “Uncommon Stories.” Knowing that someone outside Zimbabwe values your talent changes how young people see themselves and their place in the world.
The vision is for Zimbabwe to become the tech capital of Africa. Step one is making technology education accessible to all. Step two is connecting graduates with jobs at home and abroad, building confidence in Zimbabwean talent and bringing in foreign exchange. Step three is investing in entrepreneurship, so young technologists can build companies and employ others. We have government endorsement for national expansion, but scaling requires resources. The future we imagine, one that is equal, fair and prosperous, will be led by the youth of today.
