Kilimall staff members promote products through livestreaming in Mlolongo, Kenya, on 3 June (XINHUA)

At the Konza Technopolis, the hum of computers signals a new era for Kenyan youth. Here, amidst the rhythmic tapping of keyboards, they learn master coding, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing within this flagship project of the Kenya government, 60 km from Nairobi, dubbed the “Silicon Savannah,” and developing as a Science Park and Area of Innovation. 

Kenya’s digital revolution is being significantly fuelled by China, which, beyond infrastructure projects, is strategically investing in skills development within Konza, and across Kenya, through tech transfer and training programmes. This is being driven by creating opportunities, particularly for those in underserved communities, through the establishment of training hubs, provision of scholarships, and the forging of partnerships with local educational institutions. 

One of the most significant MoUs signed by Kenyan President William Ruto during his state visit to China this April was that on vocational education. The agreement opens the door to tech skills transfer, joint curriculum development and digital literacy programmes targeting Kenya’s youth. Vocational training centres will benefit from Chinese teacher training, equipment aid and educational models through the agreement. 

Youth focus 

To target youth development, Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei recently signed an MoU with Kenya’s State Department for Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital skills development for the local workforce in April, according to Xinhua News Agency. 

“This collaboration with Huawei is a vital step in equipping Kenyan youth with the digital skills required to succeed in the global economy,” said Esther Mworia, principal secretary of the State Department for TVET. 

The Huawei-sponsored ICT academy at Kenyatta University in Nairobi serves as a good example of how China is playing a pivotal role in equipping young Kenyans with the skills needed to navigate and thrive in the digital age.  

What began as a programme focused on basic networking skills has rapidly evolved to offer cutting-edge certifications in AI and cloud computing. The impact is tangible. Graduates like 23-year-old Brenda Atieno once struggled to afford basic computer access. After graduation she found herself out of the digital loop and, after searching for options, was directed to the academy. 

“Before the Huawei ICT Academy, I felt like the digital world was a distant planet,” said Atieno. “The academy not only gave me the technical skills I needed, but also the confidence to compete in a global market. Now, I’m working as a junior cloud engineer, something I only dreamed of a few years ago.” 

Atieno’s story is not an isolated one. Across Kenya, similar initiatives are taking root, driven by the renewed digital cooperation agreements between Kenya and China. 

“When my father died two years ago, I lost all hope. He was the breadwinner in the family. My mother is unemployed and my sister is in secondary school. This opportunity has unlocked many doors,” she said.  

Changing lives 

Kenya stands as a digital pioneer in East Africa, boasting a vibrant tech ecosystem and a youthful, tech-savvy population.  

However, this progress is unevenly distributed, with significant gaps in accessing digital skills, particularly in rural and marginalised communities.  

It is here that Chinese companies are stepping in to bridge the inequality. Chinese investment in the digital sector includes a strong emphasis on skills transfer, a crucial element in fostering genuine and sustainable growth. 

In vocational colleges across the country, partnerships with Chinese tech firms are modernising curricula and providing students with hands-on experience using the latest technologies. This practical approach is proving to be highly effective in preparing graduates for the demands of the rapidly evolving digital job market. 

“The collaboration with Huawei has been transformative for our computer science department,” said Anne Mutahi, head of the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.  

“They have provided us with state-of-the-art equipment, training for our faculty, and internship opportunities for our students. This ensures that our graduates are not just theoretically knowledgeable, but also practically skilled.” 

Beyond formal education, coding boot camps are springing up in various parts of the country, often with Chinese support. These intensive, short-term programmes are providing a fast track into the tech industry for young people who may not have had the opportunity to pursue traditional academic pathways.  

“I never thought I could work in tech,” admitted 20-year-old Samuel Kamau, a graduate of a China-backed coding boot camp in Nairobi’s Kibera informal settlement. “I dropped out of school early and was doing odd jobs to survive. The boot camp gave me a lifeline. In just six months, I learned enough about web development to land a job.” 

Gloria Wawira, chief executive officer of Kenya’s National Youth Counci, a state agency that promotes youth-centric policies and legislation to help people like Kamau, said China’s economic and technological progress provides valuable lessons for Kenya as it strives for a skills-driven fourth industrial revolution. 

“The collaboration between China and Kenya can serve to do tech transfer to teach young people, inculcate innovation and enterprise, and make Kenya and Africa the next frontier, whether in business outsourcing or in remote work using technology,” said Wawira.