5 Kenyan Girls Among 12 Finalists Heading to China for Huawei ICT Competition 2025

Kenya’s progress in digital education was celebrated on Tuesday, 25th March 2025, during the Huawei ICT Competition 2024-2025 Awards Ceremony held in Nairobi. The event brought together key stakeholders including the Cabinet Secretary for Education Hon. Julius Ogamba, academia leaders, students, and industry partners such as Safaricom and UNESCO.

The ceremony highlighted the growing impact of public-private partnerships in advancing Kenya’s digital transformation and nurturing future-ready talent in the fields of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud Computing, Networking, and 5G technologies.

Education at the Heart of Kenya’s Tech Agenda

In his keynote speech, Hon. Julius Ogamba emphasized the critical role of education in Kenya’s shift to a knowledge-based economy.

“Education empowers our people, reduces inequality, and builds a prosperous future,” he stated, reaffirming the Ministry of Education’s commitment to equitable access to quality learning.

The Cabinet Secretary applauded initiatives like the Huawei ICT Competition for providing real-world industry exposure and career development opportunities to Kenyan students. He pointed out that the competition complements national efforts such as the Open University of Kenya and the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, all aimed at upskilling the youth for a digital future.

From Nairobi to Shenzhen: Kenyan Students Excel Globally

Out of 21,000 participants from 18 Sub-Saharan African countries, 21 Kenyan students made it to the regional finals, with 12 now headed to the global stage in Shenzhen, China, on May 27th. Before that, the finalists will undergo a tech immersion experience in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Among the 12 global finalists are five female students—a record milestone that reflects growing success in promoting gender inclusivity in ICT education.

One of the standout participants, Rukia Mohammed from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), won the Top Prize. She plans to volunteer as a Huawei instructor in her final year and use the university’s “She Tech Africa” platform to mentor more girls into tech careers.

“I want to mentor girls and inspire them to pursue technological courses and explore careers in the ICT field,” said Rukia, underlining her ambition to close the gender gap in technology.

Academia and Industry Collaboration Driving Progress

Michael Kamau, Head of the Huawei ICT Academy in Kenya, reiterated the company’s commitment to talent development. “Through talent transformation and cultivation, we address industry needs while building a sustainable digital ecosystem,” he said.

Huawei’s ICT Competition is not just a contest—it’s a global training platform. Since 2018, the competition has engaged over 2,700 universities worldwide, trained more than 11,000 teachers, and equipped over 1 million students with practical ICT skills. In Kenya, more than 500 participants have secured employment through Huawei’s Talent Job Fair, with top talents fast-tracked into Huawei’s Management Trainee Program.

JKUAT Vice Chancellor Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi praised the initiative, calling the Huawei ICT Academy “a vital pipeline for the next generation of tech innovators.”

Safaricom and UNESCO Encourage Innovation for Real-World Impact

Speaking at the event, Safaricom’s Senior Manager for Government Relations, Ms. Wanjiku Njire, challenged the finalists to think beyond theory.

“Innovate. Collaborate. Challenge the status quo,” she urged. “We encourage you to deploy your skills to solve present real-world challenges like climate change, education, health, and food security.”

UNESCO’s continued support for digital transformation in education was also recognized, reinforcing the importance of partnerships in equipping Africa’s youth with relevant, globally competitive skills.

Closing the Gender Gap in ICT

The increased participation of girls in this year’s competition reflects the growing impact of inclusive programs and advocacy. With five girls progressing to the Global Finals, the message is clear: the gender gap in STEM is narrowing.

“We are seeing the impact of advocating for girls in technology,” noted Michael Kamau, pointing to the momentum created by initiatives like She Tech Africa.

Looking Ahead: A Sustainable Digital Future

The 2024-2025 edition of the Huawei ICT Competition showcases how collaboration between government, academia, and industry can yield powerful outcomes for digital education. Kenya’s performance not only cements its position as a continental ICT talent hub but also sets the stage for a future where innovation is driven by inclusivity, skills development, and real-world application.