The government has reaffirmed its commitment to digital skills development in empowering youth and driving digital transformation.
Speaking, Thursday at the University of Nairobi’s Chandaria Auditorium when he officiated the graduation ceremony Eng. John Tanui, Principal Secretary at the State Department for I, ICT PS Eng. John Tanui urged the graduates to explore global job markets, pointing out that Kenya’s young, skilled workforce is increasingly in demand worldwide.
There were over 400 interns who graduated from the Huawei-supported Presidential Digital Talent Programme (PDTP) Technical Training, Cohort IX.
“You are not just job seekers you are certified professionals with the skills to lead Kenya’s digital future. You’ve come at the right time when every sector needs tech talent, and the world is ready for you.” He said.
Adding that: “You are global citizens. From here in Kenya, you can lead teams, design solutions, and serve clients across the world. The digital economy is growing three times faster than the physical economy this is your time.”
Delivered in collaboration with Huawei Technologies Kenya, the training equipped participants with globally recognized Huawei Career Certifications in key areas including Networking (HCIA-Datacom), Cloud Computing (HCIA-Cloud Service), and Artificial Intelligence (HCIA-AI).
The certifications are designed to provide practical, job-ready skills aligned with Kenya’s digital transformation agenda.
“The Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy is deeply invested in nurturing the next generation of digital innovators. Through collaborative initiatives like PDTP and strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as Huawei, we’re building a workforce equipped to drive Kenya’s digital economy forward.” Said PS Tanui.
He further emphasized the broader vision behind such initiatives: “Through strategic initiatives like the PDTP, implemented by the ICT Authority, we aim to bridge the digital skills gap by preparing Kenyans with practical ICT skills and professional exposure. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that every graduate in this program is not just employable but is also empowered to become a creator of digital solutions for Kenya.”
PS Tanui also recognized the strategic importance of the training delivered: “The technical training you have now completed—with support from our industry partner Huawei—adds another layer to your capabilities. The focus areas of networking, cybersecurity, cloud, and artificial intelligence are aligned with Kenya’s broader digital economy strategy. These competencies are not only critical to your personal growth but are also essential to the Ministry’s vision of delivering efficient, technology-driven public services.”
Zilpher Owiti, Acting CEO of the ICT Authority, highlighted the PDTP’s role in modernizing the public sector: “By combining real workplace exposure with targeted technical training, PDTP is building a workforce capable of supporting national projects such as government service digitization, cloud infrastructure deployment, and cybersecurity management.”
Representing Huawei Technologies Kenya, Michael Kamau reaffirmed the company’s commitment to Kenya’s digital future: “Huawei has been part of Kenya’s digital journey since 1997, contributing both in infrastructure development and capacity building. Our Huawei Career Certifications are increasingly recognized by employers including Huawei, our customers, and industry partners as proof of practical, job-ready skills. After achieving your Associate Certifications, I encourage you to pursue higher levels like HCIP and HCIE. Your skills are valuable not only for your personal growth but for Kenya’s digital transformation.”
The PDTP interns currently deployed across ministries and government agencies will now apply their enhanced skills to support public sector digitization and contribute to the broader development of Kenya’s digital economy.
Since its inception, the Presidential Digital Talent Programme, spearheaded by the Government of Kenya and implemented by the ICT Authority, has empowered over 3,300 graduates with technical skills, real-world experience, and professional mentorship. More than 2,500 alumni have since transitioned into influential roles across the public and private sectors—a testament to the program’s long-term impact.
Owiti concluded with a call to action: “This graduation is not the end it is the beginning of your next chapter: as solution creators, digital entrepreneurs, cybersecurity defenders, data scientists, and systems engineers. We expect great things from you not just as job seekers, but as job creators, disruptors, and leaders.”
The Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy, ICT Authority, and Huawei Kenya reaffirmed their shared commitment to building Kenya’s ICT talent pipeline and accelerating the nation’s digital transformation through partnerships that deliver real-world impact.
