Connect Academy Graduates Celebrate Early Job Success
By Peace Muthoka
Connect Academy has marked a major milestone after graduating its first cohort of 48 students, with an impressive 98 percent already placed in jobs with Safaricom and its partner organisations.
The graduation ceremony took place today in Nairobi, closing a successful three-month programme that prepares young Kenyans for careers in digital infrastructure. Connect Academy is a joint initiative between Safaricom and the ICT Authority of Kenya.
The academy launched during the 2024 Connected Africa Summit with a clear mission. It aims to solve Kenya’s growing need for skilled technicians who can support the country’s fast-moving digital transformation. It focuses on hands-on fibre deployment training that gives students practical knowledge and real industry exposure.
Safaricom CEO Dr Peter Ndegwa praised the graduates for their achievement and underlined the company’s commitment to building strong digital talent. He said the Connect Academy represents a long-term investment in young people who keep Kenya connected. He noted that the new graduates step into a future shaped by digital innovation and assured them that they carry the skills needed to support the country’s next phase of growth.
The inaugural cohort came from Safaricom’s technician network, referrals from the Connected Africa Summit and community applicants. This blend highlights the programme’s focus on accessibility and inclusive digital upskilling. Throughout the intensive training, students received technical instruction, mentorship from industry leaders and real-world field experience that shaped them into job-ready technicians.
The strong job placement rate demonstrates the programme’s immediate impact. Most of the graduates have already secured employment, reflecting the growing demand for skilled fibre technicians across Kenya.
ICT Authority Acting CEO Zilpher Owiti welcomed the partnership and noted that it supports Kenya’s national goal of strengthening the ICT workforce. She said the academy ensures that training matches real industry needs, creating a steady pipeline of skilled technicians who will help expand the country’s digital infrastructure in the coming years.
With Cohort 2 scheduled to begin in January, Connect Academy plans to scale its impact. Safaricom and the ICT Authority remain committed to widening opportunities for young people and continuously improving the programme to support Kenya’s digital agenda.
The academy now looks ahead with confidence as it prepares more young Kenyans to contribute to the country’s fast-growing digital economy.
