Huawei Kenya, in partnership with the Government of Kenya through the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, has officially flagged off 12 outstanding university and TVET students who will represent Kenya at the Huawei ICT Competition Global Final 2024–2025. The event, taking place in Shenzhen, China, from May 20 to 24, 2025, marks a significant milestone for the students, who have excelled in rigorous training and competitive rounds.
During the flag-off ceremony, Cabinet Secretary for Education Julius Migos and Ambassador Jane Makori, Director General for Asia Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, commended the students for their dedication and emphasized the critical role of digital skills in advancing Kenya’s knowledge economy.
CS Julius Migos highlighted the broader impact of the competition, stating, “The Huawei ICT Competition is not just about competing — it’s about empowering young people, building an ICT-literate workforce, and aligning with the government’s agenda on youth, innovation, and science. Education is the great equalizer and when coupled with ICT, it becomes the foundation for real human progress.”
Since its launch in Kenya, the Huawei ICT Competition has trained and certified more than 12,000 university students and over 500 TVET students in advanced technologies such as data communications, cloud computing, AI, and networking. This year, the Kenyan delegation will consist of 12 students, four lecturers, and a motivational coach, competing in the Network, Cloud, Computing, and Innovation tracks. They will join participants from over 70 countries in one of the world’s largest ICT talent events, which has attracted more than 160,000 students from 2,200 institutions globally.
Stephen Zang, Deputy CEO of Huawei Kenya, expressed gratitude for the government’s support, noting, “We deeply thank the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs for their unwavering support since the inception of the competition. We are proud that over 6,500 students have participated locally, and we are honored to see Kenya’s representation grow on the global stage.”
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This year’s team reflects Kenya’s commitment to diversity, with increased female participation showcasing efforts to bridge the gender gap in STEM fields. Female students from Kenya have consistently performed well in previous competitions, reinforcing the importance of inclusive ICT training in fostering equitable digital transformation.
Kenya has a strong track record in the competition, having secured two First Prizes and three Third Prizes in the 2024 Global Final. This success underscores the country’s rising prominence in the global ICT landscape.
Eric Muriithi Karimi, a Computer Science student from Egerton University and one of the finalists, shared his confidence ahead of the event, saying, “We feel confident and well-prepared. I thank my fellow students, Huawei, and the Kenyan government for supporting us on this journey.”
Beyond the competition, Huawei remains committed to strengthening Kenya’s ICT talent pipeline through its ICT Academies, which align with the Ministry of Education’s goal of equipping students with industry-relevant skills. Additionally, the Global ICT Accelerating Education Transformation Summit, held alongside the competition, will bring together policymakers, UNESCO representatives, and education leaders to explore strategies for digital transformation in education worldwide.
As the students prepare to depart for China, their journey symbolizes Kenya’s growing influence in the global ICT arena and the transformative power of education and technology in shaping the future.
