More than 150 young people in Kisii County have successfully completed a transformative four-week digital skills training program, marking another milestone in Huawei’s commitment to bridging Kenya’s digital divide. The graduation ceremony, held on June 28, 2025, celebrated participants who gained essential competencies in computer use, internet navigation, digital marketing, online safety, and entrepreneurship through the innovative DigiTruck mobile classroom initiative.
Addressing Kenya’s Critical Digital Skills Gap
The Huawei DigiTruck program arrives at a crucial time when digital literacy remains unevenly distributed across Kenya. According to the World Bank’s 2023 report on digital inclusion in Kenya, only 38% of rural youth possess basic ICT skills, compared to 67% in urban areas. This significant disparity highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions like the DigiTruck program, which specifically serves underserved communities.
The program’s relevance becomes even more apparent when considering Kenya’s evolving job market. The World Bank’s Future Workforce report emphasizes that over 60% of jobs in Kenya by 2030 will require advanced digital and cognitive skills, underscoring the critical importance of preparing youth for a rapidly changing economic landscape.
Innovation Competition Sparks Local Solutions
Beyond basic digital training, the Kisii program featured a DigiTruck Innovation Competition that encouraged participants to propose practical solutions to local community challenges. This hands-on approach demonstrates how digital skills training programs can drive innovation and entrepreneurship at the grassroots level.
The top three competition winners received tablets and were paired with mentors to support them in transforming their innovative ideas into viable business solutions. This mentorship component ensures that the training’s impact extends beyond basic skill acquisition to practical application and potential economic empowerment.
Government Support Reinforces Program Impact
Nominated MP Hon. Irene Mayaka praised the program’s comprehensive approach, emphasizing that the digital skills acquired—including online safety and digital marketing—serve as gateways to global opportunities and financial independence. Her support reflects growing government recognition of private sector partnerships in addressing national development challenges.
Cabinet Secretary for Education Hon. Julius Migos Ogamba highlighted the successful public-private collaboration model, noting how the DigiTruck program demonstrates effective alignment between national government priorities, county government needs, private sector capabilities, and community requirements.
“The DigiTruck program is a powerful example of what can be achieved when the national government, county governments, the private sector, and community organizations work together,” Ogamba stated, while commending Computers for Schools Kenya for their outstanding partnership role in driving digital and ICT literacy in rural areas.
Expanding Digital Inclusion Across Kenya
Huawei Kenya’s Director for Public Affairs, Mr. Yuta Leng, reinforced the company’s commitment to digital inclusion, congratulating the graduates and emphasizing their potential as innovators and change-makers. This commitment aligns with broader Google’s Digital Skills for Africa initiatives that aim to train millions of young Africans in essential digital competencies.
The Kisii graduation represents part of a broader 2025 training campaign that has reached over 900 youth across multiple counties. Earlier programs in Baringo County graduated 180 youth from Kabimoi Vocational Training Centre, while Migori County saw 210 youth complete training at Uriri Vocational Training Centre. Homa Bay County recorded the highest numbers with 290 graduates from Oriwo Boys High School.
Sustainable Impact Through Strategic Partnerships
The DigiTruck initiative operates as part of Huawei’s global Tech4All program, implemented through collaboration with the Ministry of Information, Communications and The Digital Economy, the Ministry of Education, ICT Authority, and Computers for Schools Kenya. These partnerships ensure program sustainability and alignment with national development objectives, including Kenya’s Digital Superhighway and Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
Since launching in 2019, the Huawei DigiTruck has trained over 9,000 youth across 39 counties, demonstrating sustained commitment to building Kenya’s digital future one county at a time. This comprehensive reach positions the program as a significant contributor to national digital literacy efforts.
Building Kenya’s Digital Future
The DigiTruck program represents more than just skills training—it embodies a strategic investment in Kenya’s digital economy. By targeting underserved communities and providing free, accessible training, the initiative helps ensure that digital transformation benefits all Kenyans, regardless of their geographic location or economic circumstances.
For the 150 Kisii graduates, their certificates represent new opportunities in digital entrepreneurship, online commerce, and technology-driven employment. As Kenya continues its journey toward becoming a regional digital hub, programs like DigiTruck play crucial roles in developing the skilled workforce necessary for sustained economic growth and innovation.
The mobile digital classroom concept offers a scalable model for addressing digital skills gaps across Africa, demonstrating how innovative delivery mechanisms can overcome traditional barriers to technology education and economic empowerment.
