Kenya’s State Department for Technical Vocational Education and Training (SDTVET) has joined forces with global technology leader Huawei to foster the development of digital skills in Kenya. The partnership, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Southern Africa Region Huawei ICT Competition Award Ceremony, marks the beginning of a three-year collaboration (2025–2028) designed to equip the Kenyan workforce with cutting-edge ICT skills and support the country’s digital transformation.
This partnership comes at a crucial time, as Kenya faces a significant digital skills gap, which is a major barrier to the country’s digital transformation. According to a recent report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), approximately 70% of Kenyan youth lack the necessary skills to meet the demands of the digital economy.
Furthermore, the Future of Jobs Report 2025 by the World Economic Forum highlights that nearly 50% of employees worldwide will need reskilling by 2025, particularly in technology-driven fields like data analysis, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. The gap between the supply of tech-skilled workers and the needs of the digital economy threatens business competitiveness and productivity. Additionally, the underutilization of talent hampers the creation of quality jobs and affects labor market outcomes, particularly for populations impacted by the digital divide.
TVET institutions are crucial in reaching rural areas, where access to technology and digital skills training is limited. This is where the Huawei-SDTVET partnership aims to make a significant impact. Huawei will establish 150 ICT Academies within Kenyan TVET institutions, providing specialized training in networking, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. The initiative will certify 1,000 students annually at the Huawei Certified ICT Associate (HCIA) level and train 150 instructors each year through the Training-the-Trainer program. Huawei will also organize annual ICT competitions, job fairs, and workshops to connect students with career opportunities and foster greater collaboration between academia and industry.
In return, SDTVET will identify and recommend TVET institutions to host Huawei ICT Academies, actively promote Huawei’s certification programs across the country, and officially recognize the Huawei Certified Instructor Certificate (HCAI) as a standard for ICT teaching excellence. The Ministry will also support Huawei’s talent development activities, including job fairs and competitions, ensuring these initiatives align with Kenya’s national skills development strategy.
Dr. Esther Muoria, Principal Secretary for SDTVET, highlighted the strategic value of the partnership: “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.”
Mr. Xu Yongbo, Director of Huawei Southern Africa, emphasized the company’s dedication to the initiative “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.”
This transformative initiative is expected to significantly enhance the ICT talent pipeline in Kenya, solidifying the nation’s position as a leader in digital skills development within the region. By addressing the digital skills gap, the partnership will help ensure Kenya remains competitive in a rapidly evolving global digital economy, ultimately supporting its long-term economic growth and technological advancement.