By Steve El Sabai
The Huawei ICT Academy has launched an ambitious nationwide campaign aimed at enrolling a record 12,000 Kenyan students in the 2025/2026 ICT Competition, one of the world’s largest technology talent development initiatives.
The campaign, which began earlier this week at PC Kinyanjui Institute and Kenyatta University, made its latest stop today at Strathmore University. Through these campus activations, Huawei seeks to double participation and expose students to global-standard training, mentorship, and opportunities.
First introduced in Kenya in 2018, the competition has already empowered over 12,000 Kenyan students with technical expertise, international exposure, and career-ready skills. Globally, it spans 85 countries and has reached more than 950,000 learners.
The 2025/2026 edition will run from September to November, with the National Final set for December 2025, followed by the Regional Final in South Africa in February 2026 and the Global Final in China in May 2026.
Kenya’s top institutions have thrown their weight behind the program. Prof. Wanjohi Wa Chege, Vice Chancellor of Kenyatta University, praised the partnership, noting that the competition aligns with global ICT trends and equips students with practical solutions for real-world challenges.
This year’s competition will feature four tracks: networking, cloud, computing, and innovation, with a focus on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and the Internet of Things. Participation is free and open to students in universities, colleges, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
The initiative builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in March 2025 between Huawei and the State Department for TVET. The agreement will see the establishment of 150 ICT Academies in TVET institutions, annual certification of 1,000 students, training of 150 instructors, and regular ICT job fairs and competitions.
Eng. Maureen Mwaniki, Huawei’s Public Affairs Director and Head of Women in Tech, urged young women to seize the opportunity. “It is inspiring to see such energy and determination among students, and we encourage more young women to step into leadership roles in technology,” she said.
As the campaign continues across leading institutions, including JKUAT, Dedan Kimathi University, and the University of Nairobi, Huawei is signaling its commitment to nurture the next generation of ICT talent and secure Kenya’s place in the digital economy.
