From Nairobi to Tallinn: How Kontorva is bridging tech talent between Africa and Europe

When Michael Opondo first founded Kontorva in Kenya, the goal was simple: connect companies with skilled software developers. But what began as a talent matchmaking service has evolved into a tech company that delivers full, product-ready software and data analytics solutions – and now operates in Tehnopol Science and Business Park.

“We started by connecting companies with good developers,” said Opondo. “But we soon realized that it wasn’t enough to just link people – we needed to ensure that they could actually deliver real solutions. That’s when Kontorva became more than a connector; we became a product delivery partner.”

From law to tech innovation

Opondo’s background might surprise those who meet him in Estonia’s startup ecosystem. Trained as a lawyer and later working in international development, his path into technology wasn’t linear.

“Working in the NGO sector taught me about structure, compliance, and most importantly, impact,” he explained. “If you can’t measure your impact, you’re not really achieving anything. That mindset carried over to how I now build tech solutions –  everything we do must have measurable impact and clear value.”

That sense of structure and accountability proved essential when building Kontorva’s model: combining vetted developers from Africa with clients in Europe who expect precision, transparency, and results.

Building across continents

Kontorva’s team of seven operates between Estonia and Kenya, supported by a pool of over 130 developers who can be brought into projects as needed. The company works with both Estonian and international clients – including businesses in Switzerland and Kenya – but Estonia has become its main base for growth.

“In Kenya, we were putting in 80% of the effort and seeing 20% of the results,” said Opondo. “Here, it’s the opposite – we get 80% of the results from 20% of the effort. That’s why we decided to make Kenya our delivery center and Estonia our main business hub.”

Operating remotely since the beginning, Kontorva has built a transparent and trust-based internal culture. Team members work Monday to Thursday, hold daily standups, and keep all documentation – including financials and project progress – openly accessible.

“Everyone in the company knows what’s happening across departments,” said Opondo. “If someone new joins, they can immediately see the bigger picture. That openness builds trust and accountability.”

Supported by Tehnopol’s Startup Incubator

Kontorva joined the Tehnopol Startup Incubator soon after Opondo relocated to Estonia. According to him, the experience accelerated their growth and brought clarity to their strategy.

“The mentorship was brutally honest – in a good way,” he noted. “We had a lot of unnecessary clutter in our operations. The incubator helped us bring structure and precision to what we do. That made us move faster and deliver better.”

Having now completed the program, Kontorva remains in touch with its mentor and continues to operate from the Tehnopol campus, surrounded by other innovative startups.

New product launches and expansion plans

Alongside client projects, Kontorva is developing its own in-house products. One of them – Ärikaart, or “business map” in translation from Estonian – was recently launched.

“Ärikaart is our first internally built product,” Opondo said. “It’s currently in early access, and we’re gathering feedback before the full release. Our goal is to continue developing products that can stand on their own while strengthening Kontorva’s core business.”

The company’s long-term vision is ambitious: expand its footprint throughout the Baltics and Eastern Europe, while continuing to serve clients across East and Southern Africa.

“We see ourselves as a bridge between two continents,” said Opondo. “Estonia gave us a strong base in Europe, and Kenya remains a source of incredible talent. We want to keep connecting those worlds through technology.”

Photo credit: Latitude59