Kenya has launched the 10th Edition of the Huawei ICT Competition, a flagship global platform that equips young Kenyans with future-ready skills in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud Computing, Networking, and other emerging technologies.
This even as Kenya accelerates its digital transformation in the country.
The Competition is a free, global, online platform that provides skills in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud Computing, Networking, and other emerging technologies.
Presented in partnership with UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education, the 2025/2026 edition aims to double participation from 6,000 to a record 12,000 students, expanding opportunities to even more youth across the country. ICT Students can register online now.
National winners will join the Regional Competition and then the Global Competition. All participants gain industry-recognized certifications, whilst past winners have walked away with various gadgets and cash prizes as well as internships.
The Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula officially opened the program in Kenya applauding its long-standing impact and noted its relevance.
“As artificial intelligence and automation reshape the job market, I urge our young people to embrace AI skills so they can thrive in the economy of the future.”
He encouraged all ICT students to sign-up he emphasizing that: “This global competition has opened remarkable opportunities for youth in technology and the innovation space”.
Wetangula further assured stakeholders of the National Assembly’s commitment to providing enabling legislative and policy framework to support the growth of ICT and innovation.
Underscoring the importance of industry aligned education, Dr. Esther Muoria, Principal Secretary, State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) who also attended the launch, highlighted the public–private collaboration at the heart of the initiative.
“The Huawei ICT Competition has become an important platform for identifying, nurturing, and showcasing top ICT talent from our TVET institutions. This partnership is a shining example of the positive impact that public–private collaboration can have on education and youth empowerment.” Noted Muoria.
She also emphasized the benefits Kenya will gain: “Together, we are preparing Kenya’s next generation of innovators and technology leaders; 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.”
This year, the program celebrated record-breaking female participation, the including award-winning all-girl teams at the previous round’s global finals showing that women are claiming their space in the digital economy. “With record female participation and award-winning all-girl teams, the ICT Competition is helping bridge the gender gap in tech,” Dr. Muoria affirmed.
With 40 pc of today’s jobs projected to be automated, national leaders and stakeholders are calling for urgent upskilling of Kenya’s youth to ensure they are competitive in tomorrow’s digital economy.
The World Bank’s Future of Work Report 2025 highlights a growing challenge: the disconnect between the skills young people acquire and the skills demanded by today’s economy. In Kenya, many youths are creative, ambitious, and digitally inclined, yet they lack the structured training and industry pathways to convert their potential into income-generating opportunities a missed opportunity for both inclusive growth and national development.
This is where Huawei’s ICT Academy program incorporating the Huawei ICT Competition has stepped in as a game-changer. Through more than 60 partner institutions, the Huawei ICT Academy provides structured, industry-aligned training in networking, cloud computing, AI, and cybersecurity helping bridge the gap between classroom learning and job-market readiness.
In April 2025, the Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy (MICDE) launched the Kenya National AI Strategy (2025–2030) a bold blueprint positioning Kenya as a regional leader in AI research, innovation, and commercialization.
The Huawei ICT Competition directly supports this vision by nurturing the next generation of AI-savvy professionals who will drive socio-economic transformation.
Since its launch in Kenya in 2018, the Huawei ICT Competition has empowered over 12,000 Kenyan students, offering them global exposure, technical mentorship, and the tools to succeed in a tech-driven future. Internationally, the competition spans 85 countries, reaches over 950,000 students, and includes tracks in Networking, Cloud, AI, Computing, and Innovation.
“The Huawei ICT Competition has empowered thousands of Kenyan students with digital skills, real-world exposure, and global platforms to compete and succeed,” said Michael Kamau, ICT Academy Program Manager, Huawei Kenya.
Last year’s competition included students from over 40 universities and TVET institutions, and is expanding to marginalized and underserved regions ensuring equitable access to opportunity.
A recent MoU between Huawei and the State Department for TVET will expand this training to 150 institutions annually, scaling impact nationwide.
“By expanding into TVET institutions and underserved regions, Huawei is ensuring that no student is left behind in Kenya’s digital transformation,” Kamau noted.
“With mentorship, hands-on labs, boot camps, and access to global Huawei certifications, students are gaining real skills that lead to real employment” Kamau emphasized.
Highlighting the program’s decade-long impact and its call to action for the youth, Khadija Ahmed Mohammed noted: This competition has been a testament to the shared commitment of Huawei, Kenya, and China to equip youth with world-class skills, offering a global platform where they can compete with the best from over 70 countries and we call on all students, especially women and girls, to embrace STEM, seize this opportunity, and lead on the world stage,” said Khadija Ahmed Mohammed, Media Director, Public Affairs and Communication, Huawei Kenya.
