Huawei ICT Academy Targets Record 12,000 Students as 2025/2026 ICT Competition Recruitment Begins.

Huawei ICT Academy Targets Record 12,000 Students as 2025/2026 ICT Competition Recruitment Begins.

By Peace Muthoka.

Nairobi, Kenya: September 10^th 2025: The Huawei ICT Academy today kicked off a nationwide series of campus activations for the Huawei ICT Competition 2025/2026 with a vibrant roadshow at PC Kinyanjui Institute. Welcomed by the Deputy Principal for Administration, Mrs. Ruth Muia, the event drew over 150 students to the Jitume Lab, marking the beginning of a mentorship program that will extend to universities and TVET institutions across the country in the coming weeks.

The 2025/2026 edition of the Huawei ICT Competition aims to double participation from 6,000 to a record 12,000 students, providing Kenyan youth with more opportunities than ever before to sharpen their skills, access global-standard training, and showcase their abilities on the national, regional, and global stages. Registration will run from September to November, with the National Final set for December 2025, followed by the Regional Final in South Africa in February 2026 and the Global Final in China in May 2026.

Launched in Kenya in 2018, the Huawei ICT Competition has already empowered over 12,000 Kenyan students, offering them technical mentorship, global exposure, and valuable industry skills. Internationally, the competition spans 85 countries, reaching over 950,000 students across multiple ICT domains.

This year’s competition is organized around four tracks. The Networking Track tests knowledge in network infrastructure, data communications, and cybersecurity, while the Cloud Track covers cutting-edge areas such as Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and cloud computing. The Computing Track focuses on software, operating systems, and Linux, and the Innovation Track challenges students to develop creative solutions using AI and cloud technologies to address real-world issues in sectors such as health, finance, and agriculture. Participation in the competition is free of charge and is open exclusively to students who are currently enrolled in a university, college, or Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institution in Kenya.

Speaking at the PC Kinyanjui launch, Mr. Michael Kamau, Huawei ICT Academy Manager, said: “Seeing the enthusiasm at PC Kinyanjui Institute is proof that Kenya’s young people are ready to embrace the digital future. With this year’s competition, we aim to double participation and give even more students access to world-class training and opportunities.”

The competition builds on the landmark Memorandum of Understanding signed in March 2025 between Huawei and the State Department for TVET (SDTVET). Under the 3-year partnership, Huawei will establish 150 ICT Academies in Kenyan TVET institutions, offering industry-aligned training in networking, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. Each year, the company will certify 1,000 students at the Huawei Certified ICT Associate (HCIA) level and train 150 TVET instructors through its Training-The-Trainer program. Huawei will also organize annual ICT competitions, job fairs, and workshops to connect students with employment opportunities and foster stronger industry-academia collaboration.

On its part, SDTVET will select and recommend TVET institutions to host Huawei ICT Academies, promote Huawei’s certification programs nationwide, and formally recognize the Huawei Certified Instructor Certificate (HCAI) as a benchmark for ICT teaching standards. The ministry will also support Huawei’s talent development initiatives, including job fairs and competitions, ensuring alignment with Kenya’s national skills development agenda.

This collaboration with Huawei is a strategic step in empowering Kenyan youth with globally competitive digital skills. By integrating industry-driven training into our TVET institutions, we are bridging the gap between education and employment, and preparing our students to thrive in a technology-driven economy.

Eng. Maureen Mwaniki, Public Affairs Director and Head of Women in Tech at Huawei, encouraged female students to actively participate, noting: “It is inspiring to see such energy and determination among students, and we encourage more young women to take part in this competition and step into leadership roles in technology.”

On her part, Mrs. Ruth Muia, Deputy Principal (Administration), PC Kinyanjui Institute, commended the collaboration: “We appreciate Huawei for bringing such opportunities to our students. The ICT Competition will sharpen their technical skills, boost global exposure, and prepare them for careers in technology.”

The PC Kinyanjui Institute roadshow is the first in a series of campus mentorship events scheduled for September and October, as shown below: