Kenya stands at a remarkable crossroads, where a decade of digital skills development is now bearing unprecedented fruit. What started as a modest university-based challenge has evolved into one of the most influential tech training initiatives in East Africa—the Huawei ICT Competition Kenya. In 2025, it marks its tenth anniversary with the boldest rollout yet: inviting a record-breaking 12,000 students from universities and TVET colleges to take part in a competition that blends learning, mentorship, and real-world readiness.
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From Classroom Theory to Hands-On Mastery
This year’s expanded scope owes much to a new Memorandum of Understanding between Huawei Kenya and the State Department for TVET. Under this agreement, Huawei will extend its ICT training programme to 150 institutions, with a pronounced shift from theoretical lectures to immersive, hands-on learning experiences. The goal? Graduates who not only understand technology—but can apply it.
Supporting this drive is UNESCO’s Global Skills Academy, which sees the initiative as a model for closing persistent skills gaps. Beyond technical training, a newly formed “industry readiness group” will connect students directly with employers—helping them understand not just how to code, but how to thrive in professional settings.
Honing Talent—From Nairobi to Shenzhen
Kenya’s track record in the Huawei ICT Competition is a testament to its rising strength in tech. Over the past decade, more than 40 Kenyan students have qualified for global finals in Shenzhen. Some claimed top prizes, others joined Huawei or its partners; a few even launched their own startups.
In this new journey starting between August and October 2025, students will undergo intensive training before heading to the global finals in May 2026. For many, the real win lies not in trophies, but in the mentorship, confidence, and networks they build along the way.
Kenya’s ICT System Hits High Gear
This edition of the Huawei ICT Competition comes at a time when Kenya’s digital talent pipeline is firing on all cylinders.
At the 9th edition (2024–2025), Kenyan contestants delivered stellar performances across multiple tracks:
- First Prize in the Computing Track: Team from JKUAT and Machakos University.
- Second Prize in the Network Track: Students from Machakos University, JKUAT, and University of Nairobi.
- Second Prize in the Cloud Track: Participants from JKUAT and Moi University.
- Third Prize in the Innovation Track: Egerton University’s “Silicon Savannah” team, creators of a Smart Air Quality Monitoring System.
Notably, an all-girls team was honoured with the “Women in Technology Award”, reflecting Kenya’s progress in gender inclusion within STEM.
Reflecting on these achievements, Stephen Zhang, Deputy CEO of Huawei Kenya, emphasised their importance in bridging the gap between academia and industry, and in empowering the next generation of innovators.
Celebration at the Highest Levels
On June 10, 2025, Kenya’s National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetang’ula, hosted a recognition ceremony at Parliament Buildings to celebrate 12 outstanding students who excelled in the global finals. He urged them to forge ahead, creating tech solutions that solve real problems in Kenya and beyond.
Moreover, government leaders like Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs and Ambassador Willy Bett joined the delegation to Shenzhen—signalling the Kenyan government’s strong support for youth-led digital transformation.
Scaling Through Strategic Partnerships
Huawei’s alignment with Kenya’s education system is not new. Since around 2015, the company launched its ICT Academy initiative in Kenya. Today, it has partnered with over 50 universities and colleges, offering training in networking, cloud, 5G, AI, and more. Annually, these academies train more than 4,000 students.
In April 2025, a new three-year MoU with the State Department for TVET was signed, aiming to set up 150 Huawei ICT Academies, train 1,000 students every year, and certify 150 instructors through a “Train-the-Trainer” model .
On a broader scale, Huawei’s ICT Academy network globally has collaborated with more than 3,000 universities, training over 1.3 million students by the end of 2024. The ICT Competition plays a central role in this ecosystem.
2025—A Pivotal Year for Kenyan Digital Talent
This year signals a new era for Kenya’s digital skills ecosystem. With 12,000 students expected to participate and 150 institutions onboarded, the scale and ambition are unmatched.
These efforts are not just about competition—they’re about nurturing a generation capable of shaping Kenya’s digital future. Through powerful collaborations between academia, government, and industry, Kenya is transforming potential into leadership. Emerging technologists are no longer observers; they’re pioneers of change.
What to Watch Next
- Training phase begins August–October 2025, leading up to the global finals in May 2026.
- Industry readiness initiatives will connect students with employers to boost employability.
- MoU-driven expansion of ICT Academies promises long-term growth in teaching capacity.
- Gender inclusion will continue gaining momentum—with more female learners stepping confidently into digital roles.
Conclusion
For ten years, the Huawei ICT Competition Kenya has quietly built the digital scaffolding of tomorrow. In 2025, it doesn’t just enter its second decade—it leaps forward as a nationwide force of transformation. When practice meets support, talent blossoms—on the global stage and here at home.
Kenya’s digital future isn’t just possible. It’s already taking shape. With an ambitious pipeline, this latest edition signals that Kenya isn’t merely participating in the digital economy—it’s ready to lead it.
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