Huawei ICT Competition Kicks Off in Nairobi to Boost Digital Skills
Moses Wetang'ula, speaker of Kenya's National Assembly, said the Huawei-sponsored ICT competition has, over the last decade, fostered innovation and digital literacy among Kenyan youth, tackling unemployment and hastening growth.
Chinese telecoms firm Huawei on Thursday launched its information and communication technology (ICT) competition at a ceremony in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi to promote digital literacy among local youth.
Senior government officials, industry executives, students, faculty members, and innovators attended the official launch of the 10th edition of the Huawei ICT Competition, which is expected to attract more than 10,000 participants from tertiary institutions nationwide.
Moses Wetang’ula, speaker of Kenya’s National Assembly, said the Huawei-sponsored ICT competition has, over the last decade, fostered innovation and digital literacy among Kenyan youth, tackling unemployment and hastening growth.
“Over the past decade, the Huawei ICT Competition has become a cornerstone of ICT excellence, enabling young Kenyans to showcase their talent, sharpen their skills, and make their mark on the global scene.”
– Moses Wetang’ula, Speaker, Kenya’s National Assembly
He noted that students who have participated in previous editions of the competition have been at the frontline of powering Kenya’s transition to a knowledge-based economy that is inclusive and resilient.
According to Wetang’ula, the Kenyan parliament is committed to developing robust policies and legislation to help young people acquire digital skills and secure jobs of the future.
The Huawei ICT Competition is a global initiative designed to equip students enrolled in universities, mid-level colleges, and vocational training centers with advanced digital skills and knowledge.
In Kenya, the competition has provided a platform for identifying, nurturing, and showcasing ICT talent in local institutions of higher learning, empowering the youth, said Esther Thaara Muoria, principal secretary in the State Department for Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the Ministry of Education.
Early this year, Huawei and the State Department for TVET signed a deal to foster ICT talent development among tutors and students, aiming to spark innovation and enhance industry readiness among graduates, Muoria said.
She added that a partnership with industry is key to nurturing digital skills that can be leveraged to transform manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, logistics, and financial services sectors.
Michael Kamau, head of the Huawei ICT Academy in Kenya, said participants in the competition will benefit from hands-on training on emerging technologies, mentorship, and international exposure.
“We have three rounds of competition. We have a national final scheduled for December and a regional final for February next year. It will cover 15 countries in sub-Saharan Africa or southern African region. And then we expect to take excellent students to China in May 2026 for the global final.”
– Michael Kamau, Head, Huawei ICT Academy, Kenya
He added that in this year’s competition, students will compete in the network track, cloud track, computing, and innovation, with the top performers securing awards and job opportunities.
