NAIROBI, Kenya— The 10th edition of the Africa Tech Challenge (ATC) has commenced in Nairobi placing a strong emphasis on emerging industrial and digital skills, including Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining, Computer-Aided Design (CAD), mechanical drawing, and mobile application development.
This year’s program reflects a growing focus on aligning youth training with the evolving demands of Africa’s manufacturing and technology sectors.
Organizers say the initiative is not only about skills development but also about nurturing a new generation of innovators capable of driving the continent’s economic transformation.
The five-week challenge is a joint initiative by AVIC Innovation Holding Limited (AVIC INNO), Kenya’s Ministry of Education, and the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE).
It brings together 568 participants, grouped into 142 teams, from 12 African nations Kenya, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Top-ranking teams will earn opportunities to travel to China for further training and to represent their countries at the prestigious WorldSkills Competition.
Additionally, select individuals demonstrating exceptional talent will receive academic scholarships to continue their education.
“We believe in empowering young people with practical skills to help them realize their dreams and contribute to Africa’s development,” said Wang Runlan, President of AVIC International Project Engineering Company.
An Yan, Deputy Secretary-General of CEAIE, highlighted the global value of such partnerships, noting, “This program is a testament to the power of global partnerships in shaping the future of vocational education.”
John Tuwei, Director of TVET-Projects and Partnerships at the Ministry of Education, underscored the state’s continued investment in technical skills development, positioning it as a cornerstone of Kenya’s broader economic agenda.
“The government is keen on ensuring that the youth are trained to be empowered so that they can access jobs and participate in economic development,” he said.
For Mercy Njoki, an engineering student at the Technical University of Kenya, the program bridges the gap between theoretical learning and practical industry requirements.
“This is a challenge and it’s a nice opportunity for people to get and know things, produce things, and it gets to give you skills required in the market,” she noted.
Since its launch in 2014, the Africa Tech Challenge has equipped more than 1,000 young Africans with hands-on training, reinforcing its role as a key pipeline for skilled talent in Africa’s growing manufacturing and technology sectors.
