NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 8 – Kenya’s State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (SDTVET) has entered into a three-year partnership with global technology giant Huawei to boost digital skills across the country.
The collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during the Southern Africa Region Huawei ICT Competition Award Ceremony, will run from 2025 to 2028.
It aims to equip Kenya’s workforce with advanced ICT skills and accelerate the nation’s digital transformation.
The move comes at a critical time, with Kenya grappling with a significant digital skills gap. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), around 70% of Kenyan youth lack the skills required for the digital economy.
Globally, the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 predicts that nearly half of all employees will need reskilling by 2025, particularly in areas such as data analysis, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.
TVET institutions play a vital role in bridging this gap, especially in rural areas where access to technology and training remains limited. Through this partnership,
Huawei will establish 150 ICT Academies within TVET institutions across the country, offering specialized training in networking, cloud computing, AI, and cybersecurity.
Each year, the program will certify 1,000 students at the Huawei Certified ICT Associate (HCIA) level and train 150 instructors through a Training-the-Trainer program.
Huawei will also host annual ICT competitions, job fairs, and workshops to connect students with industry opportunities and foster collaboration between academia and the private sector.
SDTVET will identify and recommend suitable institutions to host the academies and promote Huawei’s certification programs. It will also recognize Huawei’s Certified Instructor Certificate (HCAI) as a national standard for ICT teaching excellence and support talent development activities across the country.
Dr. Esther Muoria, Principal Secretary for SDTVET, praised the partnership as a strategic step toward bridging the digital divide.
“This collaboration with Huawei is a vital step in equipping Kenyan youth with the digital skills required to succeed in the global economy. By integrating industry-driven training into our TVET system, we are narrowing the skills gap and opening doors to rewarding careers in Kenya’s expanding ICT sector,” she said.
Huawei Southern Africa Director, Mr. Xu Yongbo, emphasized the company’s commitment to Kenya’s digital future.
“Huawei is honored to partner with Kenya in shaping the future of its ICT workforce. By leveraging our technological expertise alongside SDTVET’s educational framework, we are creating a skilled workforce that will drive innovation and contribute to Kenya’s Vision 2030,” he said.
The initiative is expected to strengthen Kenya’s ICT talent pipeline, cementing the country’s status as a regional leader in digital skills development.
By tackling the digital divide, the partnership aims to boost Kenya’s competitiveness in the global digital economy while supporting long-term economic growth and technological progress.
