Kenya and Huawei strengthened their collaboration Thursday to equip young people with the skills they need for a technologically driven future.
To encourage digital literacy among local youngsters, the Chinese telecoms business launched an information and communication technology (ICT) competition yesterday at a ceremony in Nairobi, Kenya.
Senior government officials, industry executives, students, faculty members, and innovators attended the official inauguration of the 10th edition of the Huawei ICT Competition, which is projected to draw more than 10,000 participants from tertiary institutions across the country.
Moses Wetang'ula, speaker of Kenya's National Assembly, stated that the Huawei-sponsored ICT competition has fostered creativity and digital literacy among Kenyan youth over the last decade, hence reducing unemployment and accelerating growth.
He said: "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."
Wetang'ula highlighted that students who have competed in previous editions of the competition have been instrumental in driving Kenya's transformation to a knowledge-based, inclusive, and resilient economy.
According to Wetang'ula, the Kenyan parliament is committed to crafting strong policies and legislation to assist young people in acquiring digital skills and securing jobs in the future.
The Huawei ICT Competition is a global effort that aims to provide advanced digital skills and knowledge to students at universities, mid-level colleges, and vocational training centres.
Dr Esther Muoria, Principal Secretary State Department for TVET at the Ministry of Education, also attended the inaugural event in Nairobi alongside Huawei executives.
"This global challenge offers our TVET trainees a platform to apply their skills internationally, benchmark against global industry standards and showcase Kenya’s talent to the world," Muoria said.
"Such initiatives strengthen Kenya’s position in the global digital economy, open pathways for youth employment and entrepreneurship, and ensure our workforce is ready for the fast-evolving technology landscape."
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