Huawei has kicked off the Huawei ICT Competition 2025/2026 Regional Final Bootcamp Training, bringing together 21 top students selected from nearly 3,000 applicants from universities and TVET institutions across Kenya.
The students were chosen through a rigorous national process and represent JKUAT, University of Nairobi, Africa Nazarene University, Multimedia University, Technical University of Kenya, Moi University, Machakos University, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, and—for the first time—PC Kinyanjui Technical Training Institute, marking a historic milestone for TVET participation in advanced ICT competitions.
Huawei–Government Partnership Boosts Digital Skills
The bootcamp follows a three-year (2025–2028) partnership between Huawei and Kenya’s State Department for Technical Vocational Education and Training (SDTVET) aimed at strengthening the country’s digital skills pipeline. The partnership, formalized through an MoU signed at the 2025 Southern Africa Region Huawei ICT Competition Award Ceremony, will establish 150 ICT Academies in TVET institutions to offer training in networking, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.
The initiative targets the certification of 1,000 students annually at HCIA level, the training of 150 instructors each year, and the support of ICT competitions, job fairs, and industry linkages. SDTVET will identify host institutions, promote Huawei certifications nationwide, and ensure alignment with Kenya’s national skills strategy.
Preparing Talent for Regional and Global Competition
The bootcamp was officiated by Ms. Lucy Anampiu, Principal of PC Kinyanjui Technical Training Institute, who praised the students’ achievement and highlighted the growing role of TVET institutions.
Being selected among thousands of applicants proves that TVET students can compete at the highest global level,” she said.
Mr. Michael Kamau, Huawei ICT Academy Manager, briefed students on the competition structure, timelines, and performance expectations.
This competition bridges academia and industry by equipping students with practical, in-demand ICT skills,” he said.
The competition features four technology tracks: Network, Cloud & AI, Computing, and Innovation. Of the 21 students, three are from TVET institutions, while 18 are from universities. Women make up one-third of the cohort, reflecting a growing push for gender inclusion in ICT.
Career Pathways and Global Exposure
Industry engagement featured strongly, with Mr. Mathew Kiptoo, Hiring Manager at Huawei Technologies Kenya, inviting eligible participants to apply for the Huawei Graduate Program Training scheduled for July.
Top-performing teams from the Regional Final, competing against 62 teams from 15 countries, will advance to the Global Final in China in June 2026, gaining international exposure and career opportunities.
The Huawei ICT Competition remains a flagship initiative for digital skills development, industry-academia collaboration, and talent pipeline creation, supporting Kenya’s and the region’s broader digital transformation agenda.