In Africa, a new wave of AI-powered "Swiss Army" tools is revolutionizing the software development industry, allowing founders to build products faster and more efficiently. These tools, which include Vzy, a0dev, and Stakpak, are leveraging large language models (LLMs) and open-source technology to automate infrastructure setup and management, reducing the need for dedicated DevOps engineers in the early stages.

Stakpak, an Egyptian startup, is one such example. Its AI agentic development tool helps software and DevOps engineers set up production-ready infrastructure much faster, reducing the complexity of configuring multiple tools. According to George Fahmy, Stakpak CEO, at least 45% of developers use six core tools to ship their products, but configuring them is complex, requiring teams to stitch them together by going through hundreds of documentation pages just to ship a product to customers.

The rise of these AI-powered tools is significant, given the shortage of DevOps engineers globally. In Nigeria, for instance, the average engineer earns ₦250,000 ($163) monthly, making them high-maintenance professionals. Companies often opt to hire the services of cloud engineering consulting firms to offset the expenses of paying full-time salaries, which can cost between $10,000–$50,000 on a project basis.

With the fast-rise of platforms like Stakpak, a0dev, and Vzy, founders could become the startup equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, shipping products faster, hiring fewer talents, and saving money on staff overhead costs, thus extending runway. However, the trade-off is that talents may struggle to keep up, forcing them to evolve or pivot.

Despite the benefits, there are concerns about job displacement. A 2024 Stack Overflow report found that most software developers expect AI tools to impact their workflows in 2025. About 79% believe AI will play a major role in how they document, write, test, and deploy code. However, experts argue that AI agents are not intuitive and require skilled developers to use them effectively, making traditional engineers still a priority.

Investors are also confident about these startups. Stakpak raised $500,000 in pre-seed funding from P1 ventures, with participation from investors Digital Currency Group, 500 Sanabil, and angel investors. a0dev, founded by Seth Setse and Ayomide Omolewa, raised an undisclosed amount from a group of YC alumni under Pioneer Fund. Bootstrapped Vzy, founded by Evans Akanno, has not raised any VC dollars but has received over $50,000 in funding from friends as well as startup accelerators.

As AI continues to weave itself into the fabric of software development, the industry stands at a crossroads—one where automation meets adaptation. The rise of AI agents is showing a shift happening, not just in how software is built but in who builds it and how they work. While fears of job displacement persist, the reality is more nuanced: AI isn’t eliminating developers; it’s redefining their roles. For those willing to embrace this change, the future isn’t about being replaced—it’s about staying ahead.