By Editor
Huawei’s nationwide ICT Academy tour inspires students at Strathmore University today, aggressively pursuing its goal to double participation in its flagship technology competition.
The campaign, which aims to recruit a record 12,000 students for the 2025/26 Huawei ICT Competition, kicked off this week.
It began at the PC Kinyanjui Institute on Tuesday before moving to Kenyatta University on Wednesday, where strong student turnout and leadership endorsements highlighted the program’s growing impact.
The Huawei ICT Competition provides Kenyan youth with a platform to sharpen their skills, access global-standard training, and showcase their talents.
Registration runs from September to November 2025. Participants will progress from a National Final in December to a Regional Final in South Africa in February 2026, culminating in a Global Final in China in May 2026.
Since its 2018 launch in Kenya, the competition has empowered over 12,000 students with technical mentorship and industry skills. Globally, the initiative spans 85 countries and has reached over 950,000 students.
At the launch event, PC Kinyanjui Institute Deputy Principal Mrs. Ruth Muia welcomed the initiative.
“We appreciate Huawei for bringing such opportunities to our students. The ICT Competition will sharpen their technical skills, boost global exposure, and prepare them for careers in technology,” she said.
Huawei ICT Academy Manager Michael Kamau noted the overwhelming enthusiasm. “Seeing the excitement at PC Kinyanjui Institute proves that Kenya’s young people are ready to embrace the digital future. We aim to double participation and give even more students access to world-class training,” he stated.
At Kenyatta University, Vice Chancellor Prof. Wanjohi Wa Chege urged students to participate. He called the competition “a key catalyst in developing ICT talent in Kenya,” and encouraged students to apply the knowledge gained to create practical solutions for society.
Student Cherrys Otieno shared her motivation. “I’m inspired by the opportunities to travel and the internships, trainings, and certifications Huawei offers. I feel very motivated about the doors this competition will open for my future,” she said.
This year’s competition features four dynamic tracks. Networking, focusing on infrastructure and cybersecurity; Cloud, covering IoT, AI, and cloud computing; Computing, centered on software, operating systems, and Linux; and Innovation, challenging students to create AI and cloud solutions for real-world issues in health, finance, and agriculture.
The drive builds on a landmark March 2025 partnership between Huawei and the State Department for TVET (SDTVET). The three-year MoU commits Huawei to establishing 150 ICT Academies in Kenyan TVET institutions.
The company will also certify 1,000 students and train 150 instructors annually.Eng. Maureen Mwaniki, Huawei’s Public Affairs Director, encouraged more young women to join.
“It is inspiring to see such energy and determination among students, and we encourage more young women to take part in this competition and step into leadership roles in technology.”
Following the Strathmore University visit, the enrollment campaign will continue at campuses across the country, including Africa Nazarene University, JKUAT, and Dedan Kimathi University.
Registration for the free competition is open to all students currently enrolled in Kenyan universities, colleges, or TVET institutions.
