Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has challenged African youth to seize the mantle of innovation and industry, calling them the ‘heartbeat of Africa’s industrial revolution.’
Speaking in Nairobi at the 10th Africa Tech Challenge (ATC) award ceremony, Ogamba celebrated the creativity and resilience of young competitors drawn from 12 African countries, saying their skills and discipline were proof that Africa is ready for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“Go beyond competing. Be innovators, solution creators, and mentors. Do not wait for opportunities — create them. You are the heartbeat of Africa’s future.” He said.
The ceremony brought together government leaders, Chinese and African diplomats, corporate partners, and 52 finalists who showcased their talents in CNC Turning, Mechanical Engineering CAD, and Mobile Application Development.
Ogamba underlined that the initiative complements Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) by equipping young people with practical skills to drive manufacturing and job creation.
“The government is investing in modern equipment, rolling out the modular Competency-Based Training curriculum, and expanding industry linkages,” Ogamba said.
“Competitions like ATC help ensure our graduates are globally competitive and locally relevant,”he added.
Dr. Esther Thaara Muoria, Principal Secretary for Technical and Vocational Training, hailed the competition as proof that TVET institutions are no longer training youth to simply ‘know’ but to ‘do.’
“This platform is where finesse, skill, and innovation meet,” she said. “Africa’s youth must rise to meet the demands of a global workforce. Competitions like ATC sharpen our collective ability to grow together.”
From the diplomatic front, PS Korir Sing’Oei of Foreign Affairs highlighted how ATC has strengthened the friendship between Africa and China.
“The young people trained here will not only impact their own lives, but also their families, communities, and countries. This is what sustainable development truly means,” he said.
Chinese representatives reinforced this spirit of collaboration. Zhang Zhizhong, Chargé d’affaires at the Chinese Embassy, described ATC as “a vital bridge between learning and industry.” He reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting African youth through scholarships, vocational training, and investments in TVET infrastructure.
Li Qingtang, Executive Vice President of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), revealed that AVIC has already upgraded 189 vocational institutions across Africa and trained more than 20,000 teachers and students annually.
Among the big winners was Victor Kamau, a final-year mechanical engineering student at the Technical University of Kenya. Kamau credited discipline and persistence for his success in the CAD category.
“We had just two hours to produce complex drawings under pressure,” he recalled. “It was tough, but determination kept me going. This win means the world to me.”
Kamau and other top performers will travel to China for WorldSkills training, with six individual champions receiving full scholarships for further study.
“This has been my dream for years,” Kamau said, beaming. “I want to use this opportunity to grow, and to tell other young innovators: keep practicing, keep pushing. One day, it pays off.”
Over the past five weeks, ATC 10 brought together youth from 14 African countries in intensive training, cultural exchange, and innovation challenges. Participants took part in Chinese cultural workshops, from calligraphy to lion dancing, forging bonds that went beyond technical skills.
The event also released the ATC 10th Anniversary Corporate Social Responsibility Report, showcasing a decade of achievements under the banner “Empowering Africa, Lighting the Future.”
Across speeches and testimonies, one message stood out: Africa’s youth are ready, but they need consistent investment, mentorship, and opportunities.
“Do not limit your dreams, expand them. Build bridges through skills and technology. That is the key to Africa’s development.”
As the drums and cheers faded, the legacy of ATC Season 10 became clear. This was not just an award ceremony, but a rallying call: for governments to fund skills training, for industries to embrace young innovators, and for the youth themselves to see their talent as Africa’s most valuable resource.
