Who’s Behind 42 Antananarivo? Hassanein Hiridjee on Building Madagascar’s Digital Future.

This month, we had the opportunity to speak with Hassanein Hiridjee, CEO of AXIAN Group and the visionary behind 42 Antananarivo. With deep roots in Madagascar and a passion for inclusive, future-focused innovation, Hassanein shares what inspired AXIAN to launch 42 in the heart of the Indian Ocean. From rethinking access to digital education to investing in youth potential, he discusses why this bold initiative is designed to spark lasting change, both locally and across the African continent.

Could you please briefly introduce yourself and tell us more about your educational and professional background?
I am Hassanein Hiridjee, CEO of the AXIAN Group. After completing my studies at ESCP Europe in 1997, I returned that same year to my native country, Madagascar, to gradually take over the family business. In 2015, alongside my brother Amin, we founded AXIAN Group, with the ambition of building a pan-African leader in high-impact, strategic sectors.

Can you tell us more about the company you work for and what you do there?
I am the CEO of the AXIAN Group. Today, AXIAN operates in five key sectors across Africa: telecoms, financial services, energy, real estate, and fintech. We operate in 17 different countries across the continent and the Indian Ocean, with over 8,000 employees. We act as a sustainable partner to local economies, investing in essential infrastructure and developing high added-value services for local populations and businesses. At AXIAN, positive impact, inclusion, and innovation are at the heart of our strategy, and we are strongly committed to contributing actively to sustainable growth across the continent. The Group is a member of the United Nations Global Compact and supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We believe that responsible private sector players must contribute to the training and professional integration of young people. This is what we do, notably through the AXIAN Foundation and initiatives such as 42 Antananarivo.

How did you first come across 42? What did you think was particularly interesting about it?
We discovered 42 while searching for educational approaches that could address the digital skills shortage on our continent. What immediately stood out to us was its truly disruptive model: the school is free, open to all, with no age or diploma requirements. Although it’s a challenging model — based on peer-to-peer learning, project-driven pedagogy, and gamification, it remains truly inclusive and has proven to be very effective.

What were the motivations behind AXIAN’s decision to set up a 42 campus in Madagascar and to sponsor it?
First and foremost, it’s about making up for an injustice. We wanted to give young Malagasy talent, eager to learn, a fair opportunity to access digital careers right here in Madagascar and at the highest international standards. This initiative comes with no financial barrier, as studying at 42 is entirely free. Additionally, there are no obligations towards AXIAN, as students are free to choose their own career paths. Our ambition is to provide excellent tech training rather than to dictate their futures.
The internationally recognized 42 curriculum opens doors to students from all around the world, all the while responding to the growing needs of local markets.

In your opinion, what sets 42 apart from other coding schools?
I’d say that 42 challenges traditional education. It’s not about professors or lectures: it’s about empowering students, encouraging collaborative learning and developing critical thinking. 42 teaches you how to learn on your own and prepares diverse profiles for the job market. Moreover, unlike other schools, 42 is 100% free with no hidden fees and is accessible to everyone regardless of their background.

What are your hopes for the future of 42 Antananarivo?
We hope for 42 Antananarivo to become a real catalyst for talent and opportunity. Our ambition is to see a new generation of developers, systems engineers, AI and cybersecurity specialists emerge — ready to build tomorrow’s solutions for the continent.

And for the future of education?
Education should be more inclusive, agile, and more closely connected to the real world. Africa has the potential and the opportunity to create its own model of excellence that reflects its cultural and social realities, but also its ambitions.
This is exactly what 42 is about: an educational revolution we hope to see spread around the globe, and that focuses on concrete skills and the development of human potential.

A quick word to conclude our interview?
Africa has no shortage of talent. What it needs are structures capable of revealing that talent and pushing it forward. With 42 Antananarivo, we’re making a bold, but necessary, bet: to have faith in our youth and give them the means to write their own digital chapter.