NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenyan university students are breaking barriers in robotics — armed not with high-end lab equipment, but with repurposed smartphones and a spirit of innovation.
In a reimagination of science and technology education, the second edition of the CogLabs UNESCO Robotics Workshop took place Tuesday in Nairobi, empowering over 20 students to design and build working robots using low-cost, mobile-first tools.
The workshop, hosted by UNESCO in partnership with Infinix and Qhala, is part of a global initiative to make STEM education more inclusive and accessible.
Instead of relying on expensive desktops or specialised labs, the students used 3D-printed kits, free AI software like Scratch and Teachable Machine, and everyday smartphones to bring their robot ideas to life.
“You actually have the chance to build something — not just for Nairobi, not just for Kenya, but for Africa and for the world,” said Asha Mweru, Strategy Lead at Qhala, during her opening remarks. “I hope to see the next Ironman or Star Wars created by someone who started right here.”
The workshop featured sessions on artificial intelligence, machine learning, responsible AI design, and a hands-on robotics challenge using the E3bot platform.
Students were also encouraged to showcase their creations and innovation journeys online through social media challenges.
The event highlights a growing shift in how technology education is being delivered, particularly in Africa, where mobile-first learning models are increasingly seen as the key to unlocking youth potential at scale.
“Technology should never be a barrier to creativity,” said Stephen Otieno, PR Lead at Infinix. “Our goal is to embed advanced tools like AI directly into smartphones — giving young people the power to create, connect, and innovate no matter where they are.”
The E3bot initiative, which forms the foundation of the hands-on robotics experience, was founded by Joan Nadal, who initially built a robot for his daughter.
Since then, the project has trained more than 3,000 teachers and reached over 20,000 students across 35 countries.
“This is about much more than just building robots,” Nadal said. “It’s about building a global community of makers — people who use technology to tackle real-world challenges.”
The return of CogLabs to Nairobi underscores UNESCO’s commitment to expanding STEM access across the continent, especially through affordable, mobile-based solutions that resonate with young innovators.
