Interviewer
At Addis Software, you achieved an impressive 55% performance boost using Redis caching. Could you walk us through that? What did the system look like before, what was the key bottleneck, and why was Redis the right tool for the job?
At Addis Software, you achieved an impressive 55% performance boost using Redis caching. Could you walk us through that? What did the system look like before, what was the key bottleneck, and why was Redis the right tool for the job?
Interviewee
Before implementing Redis caching, the system suffered from frequent database calls that slowed performance. It could take more than a minute to get a response because it depended on another system and numerous backend computations. The bottleneck was clear repeated queries that didn’t need to hit the database every time. By introducing Redis as a caching layer, we reduced redundant requests, lowered latency, and ultimately improved performance, which made a big difference for end users.
Before implementing Redis caching, the system suffered from frequent database calls that slowed performance. It could take more than a minute to get a response because it depended on another system and numerous backend computations. The bottleneck was clear repeated queries that didn’t need to hit the database every time. By introducing Redis as a caching layer, we reduced redundant requests, lowered latency, and ultimately improved performance, which made a big difference for end users.
Interviewer
Working on a payment gateway like Chapa, handling billions of ETB, is no small feat. What were the top three engineering challenges when building and scaling a system where security, reliability, and speed are absolutely critical?
Working on a payment gateway like Chapa, handling billions of ETB, is no small feat. What were the top three engineering challenges when building and scaling a system where security, reliability, and speed are absolutely critical?
Interviewee
Actually, I don’t contribute to the Chapa system’s development code, but I have contributed to the SDK development of the Chapa Payment. In general the three biggest challenges are ensuring security at scale, maintaining high availability during peak loads, and optimizing transactions for speed without compromising accuracy. Each of these requires rigorous testing, solid infrastructure decisions, and a constant focus on user trust.
Actually, I don’t contribute to the Chapa system’s development code, but I have contributed to the SDK development of the Chapa Payment. In general the three biggest challenges are ensuring security at scale, maintaining high availability during peak loads, and optimizing transactions for speed without compromising accuracy. Each of these requires rigorous testing, solid infrastructure decisions, and a constant focus on user trust.
Interviewer
You built an incredible 14 projects during your Headstarter residency Which one was the most technically demanding or personally rewarding? We'd love to hear about a specific challenge you faced in a project, perhaps with the RAG pipeline or a recommendation system, and how you solved it.
You built an incredible 14 projects during your Headstarter residency Which one was the most technically demanding or personally rewarding? We'd love to hear about a specific challenge you faced in a project, perhaps with the RAG pipeline or a recommendation system, and how you solved it.
Interviewee
Out of the 14 projects, one of the most technically demanding was building a market anomaly detection and prediction model using deep learning. I've used Bloomberg's market data to train the model, and it was difficult to know which algorithm to use and also prepare and filter the data for training. I've solved it by comparing the algorithm performance and doing thread-off among the algorithms, doing SMOTE analysis on the data, and optimizing it by clearing some columns that are not needed.
Out of the 14 projects, one of the most technically demanding was building a market anomaly detection and prediction model using deep learning. I've used Bloomberg's market data to train the model, and it was difficult to know which algorithm to use and also prepare and filter the data for training. I've solved it by comparing the algorithm performance and doing thread-off among the algorithms, doing SMOTE analysis on the data, and optimizing it by clearing some columns that are not needed.
Interviewer
You've worked with engineers from top-tier companies like Bloomberg and Amazon at Intrepid Prime. What was the biggest cultural or technical difference you noticed, and what's one key lesson you learned from collaborating at that level?
You've worked with engineers from top-tier companies like Bloomberg and Amazon at Intrepid Prime. What was the biggest cultural or technical difference you noticed, and what's one key lesson you learned from collaborating at that level?
Interviewee
The biggest difference I noticed was the emphasis on code quality and scalability from day one. They’re always collaborative and open, even with busy schedules and many tasks. That mindset inspires me and helps me do more loving projects with them. They don’t have egos and understand that everything starts from the first small step. Saying you don’t know something but will research it and come back with findings is normal when working with them. Engineers at that level don’t just think about solving the problem in front of them; they anticipate how the system will evolve in the future. A key lesson I learned is to design with growth in mind don’t just write code for today, but architect it to withstand tomorrow’s challenges.
The biggest difference I noticed was the emphasis on code quality and scalability from day one. They’re always collaborative and open, even with busy schedules and many tasks. That mindset inspires me and helps me do more loving projects with them. They don’t have egos and understand that everything starts from the first small step. Saying you don’t know something but will research it and come back with findings is normal when working with them. Engineers at that level don’t just think about solving the problem in front of them; they anticipate how the system will evolve in the future. A key lesson I learned is to design with growth in mind don’t just write code for today, but architect it to withstand tomorrow’s challenges.
Interviewer
I saw you lead a team at Addis Software during a critical period. How did you approach that responsibility? What's your philosophy on keeping a team motivated and focused under pressure?
I saw you lead a team at Addis Software during a critical period. How did you approach that responsibility? What's your philosophy on keeping a team motivated and focused under pressure?
Interviewee
Leading during a critical period taught me the importance of communication and trust when our mentors weren’t in the office. It was normal, as we already had a collaborative culture that made it easier to talk with coworkers and the CEO. At Addis Software, everyone is a leader, and there is no strict hierarchy, which makes everyone responsible even if you’re not leading something directly.
Leading during a critical period taught me the importance of communication and trust when our mentors weren’t in the office. It was normal, as we already had a collaborative culture that made it easier to talk with coworkers and the CEO. At Addis Software, everyone is a leader, and there is no strict hierarchy, which makes everyone responsible even if you’re not leading something directly.
Interviewer
As an ALX Ambassador, you helped grow the community significantly. Why do you believe mentorship and community are so crucial for developers, especially here in Africa?
As an ALX Ambassador, you helped grow the community significantly. Why do you believe mentorship and community are so crucial for developers, especially here in Africa?
Interviewee
Mentorship is transformative, especially in Africa, where access to opportunities can be uneven. It helps you connect with many talented people and strive for more growth. At ALX, I saw firsthand how connecting developers worldwide with guidance and community accelerates growth and confidence. Mentorship isn’t just about knowledge transfer it’s about building belief and showing others that they belong in tech.
Mentorship is transformative, especially in Africa, where access to opportunities can be uneven. It helps you connect with many talented people and strive for more growth. At ALX, I saw firsthand how connecting developers worldwide with guidance and community accelerates growth and confidence. Mentorship isn’t just about knowledge transfer it’s about building belief and showing others that they belong in tech.
Interviewer
You've contributed to open-source projects like the Chapa SDK. From your perspective, why is contributing to open source so valuable for a developer's growth, beyond just writing code?
You've contributed to open-source projects like the Chapa SDK. From your perspective, why is contributing to open source so valuable for a developer's growth, beyond just writing code?
Interviewee
I contributed to Chapa after encountering an issue integrating Chapa with my website. At first, I thought the problem was my code, and after two days of trying and discussing with other developers, I considered that the issue might be in the Chapa SDK. I examined their code and managed to fix it within two days of investigation, coding, and understanding someone else’s work. Open source teaches lessons that go beyond coding: collaborating with people you’ve never met, following global standards, and building tools used by others. It’s humbling and motivating and helps you grow into a developer who understands both community and impact.
I contributed to Chapa after encountering an issue integrating Chapa with my website. At first, I thought the problem was my code, and after two days of trying and discussing with other developers, I considered that the issue might be in the Chapa SDK. I examined their code and managed to fix it within two days of investigation, coding, and understanding someone else’s work. Open source teaches lessons that go beyond coding: collaborating with people you’ve never met, following global standards, and building tools used by others. It’s humbling and motivating and helps you grow into a developer who understands both community and impact.
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Interviewer
What practical advice would you give to an Ethiopian or African developer who wants to make their first open-source contribution but doesn't know where to start?
What practical advice would you give to an Ethiopian or African developer who wants to make their first open-source contribution but doesn't know where to start?
Interviewee
Start small and don’t be intimidated. The Ethiopian developers’ community is growing we have many open-source projects both in Ethiopia and globally. Pick a project you actually use, read the documentation, and begin with issues labeled “good first issue.” Beyond that, ask questions openly open-source communities are generally welcoming, and the learning you gain is worth every step.
Start small and don’t be intimidated. The Ethiopian developers’ community is growing we have many open-source projects both in Ethiopia and globally. Pick a project you actually use, read the documentation, and begin with issues labeled “good first issue.” Beyond that, ask questions openly open-source communities are generally welcoming, and the learning you gain is worth every step.
Interviewer
Quick poll: are you more in a relationship with projects, or an actual person?😁
I am not sure If I asked who your uni crush is, would I get an answer… or just suspicious silence?
Quick poll: are you more in a relationship with projects, or an actual person?😁
I am not sure If I asked who your uni crush is, would I get an answer… or just suspicious silence?
Interviewee
Man, I was in love with projects, meeting with clients, selling projects, and chasing remote jobs for some time, but I can't say anything on this question because I spent most of my time in the A2SV Bahir Dar office building at BiT mostly working on something or solving issues with my friends.
I think I had a crush on Python when I saw it for the first time after doing low-level programming instead of chasing someone😂.
Man, I was in love with projects, meeting with clients, selling projects, and chasing remote jobs for some time, but I can't say anything on this question because I spent most of my time in the A2SV Bahir Dar office building at BiT mostly working on something or solving issues with my friends.
I think I had a crush on Python when I saw it for the first time after doing low-level programming instead of chasing someone😂.
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Interviewer
Hey fam 👋 We hope you gained valuable insights and inspiration from Dawit Minue in Episode 9 - Part I. 💡
That’s a wrap for today, but stay tuned - Part II drops next week. 🚀
Wishing you all a productive and amazing week ahead.
Bye for now 👋👋
Hey fam 👋 We hope you gained valuable insights and inspiration from Dawit Minue in Episode 9 - Part I. 💡
That’s a wrap for today, but stay tuned - Part II drops next week. 🚀
Wishing you all a productive and amazing week ahead.
Bye for now 👋👋
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💻 Why Version Control (Git) Matters
Whether you’re coding solo or in a team, Git is a game-changer. Here’s why:
1. Collaboration Made Easy 🤝
- Multiple developers can work on the same project simultaneously.
- Changes are tracked, merged, and conflicts are resolved efficiently.
2. History & Safety 🕒
- Every change is saved. Made a mistake? You can rollback anytime.
- No more accidental overwrites or lost code.
3. Real-World Coding Workflow 🌍
- Git is the industry standard used by startups & big tech companies.
- Understanding branches, commits, pull requests, and merges prepares you for real-world development.
4. Experiment Without Fear ⚡️
- Create separate branches for new features or experiments.
- Merge them only when ready your main code stays safe.
5. Portfolio & Open Source Impact 🚀
- Showcase your code on GitHub or GitLab.
- Contribute to projects and get noticed by the global dev community.
✅ Bottom Line: Git isn’t just a tool; it’s a skill every developer needs for collaboration, safety, and professional growth.
#CodeBiruh #Git #VersionControl #Collaboration #DeveloperLife #Programming #LearnAndGrow #SoftwareDevelopment
Whether you’re coding solo or in a team, Git is a game-changer. Here’s why:
1. Collaboration Made Easy 🤝
- Multiple developers can work on the same project simultaneously.
- Changes are tracked, merged, and conflicts are resolved efficiently.
2. History & Safety 🕒
- Every change is saved. Made a mistake? You can rollback anytime.
- No more accidental overwrites or lost code.
3. Real-World Coding Workflow 🌍
- Git is the industry standard used by startups & big tech companies.
- Understanding branches, commits, pull requests, and merges prepares you for real-world development.
4. Experiment Without Fear ⚡️
- Create separate branches for new features or experiments.
- Merge them only when ready your main code stays safe.
5. Portfolio & Open Source Impact 🚀
- Showcase your code on GitHub or GitLab.
- Contribute to projects and get noticed by the global dev community.
✅ Bottom Line: Git isn’t just a tool; it’s a skill every developer needs for collaboration, safety, and professional growth.
#CodeBiruh #Git #VersionControl #Collaboration #DeveloperLife #Programming #LearnAndGrow #SoftwareDevelopment
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🤖 How AI is Transforming Software Development
AI isn’t just a buzzword it’s changing how developers work every day. Here’s how:
1️⃣ Faster Coding: AI-powered tools like Tabnine and GitHub Copilot help write, review, and debug code in minutes.
2️⃣ Smarter Testing: AI can automatically detect bugs, predict errors, and optimize code performance.
3️⃣ Personalized Learning: Developers can get AI-driven tutorials and suggestions tailored to their skill level.
4️⃣ Enhanced Creativity: From generating UI designs to building prototypes, AI sparks innovation.
5️⃣ Project Management: AI can estimate timelines, manage resources, and improve team collaboration.
💡 Bottom line: AI is not replacing developers it’s empowering them to build smarter, faster, and more efficiently.
#SoftwareDevelopment #TechInsights #Programming #DevTools
AI isn’t just a buzzword it’s changing how developers work every day. Here’s how:
1️⃣ Faster Coding: AI-powered tools like Tabnine and GitHub Copilot help write, review, and debug code in minutes.
2️⃣ Smarter Testing: AI can automatically detect bugs, predict errors, and optimize code performance.
3️⃣ Personalized Learning: Developers can get AI-driven tutorials and suggestions tailored to their skill level.
4️⃣ Enhanced Creativity: From generating UI designs to building prototypes, AI sparks innovation.
5️⃣ Project Management: AI can estimate timelines, manage resources, and improve team collaboration.
💡 Bottom line: AI is not replacing developers it’s empowering them to build smarter, faster, and more efficiently.
#SoftwareDevelopment #TechInsights #Programming #DevTools
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