NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya’s tech-savvy students just put the world on notice.
In what can only be described as a historic clean sweep, Kenyan university teams stunned the globe at the Huawei ICT Competition 2024/2025 finals in Shenzhen, China—clinching top spots in multiple categories, including Computing, Innovation, and Cloud. It’s the kind of moment that screams: Africa’s digital future is already here.
Team Kenya didn’t just show up—they conquered. The Computing Track saw Esther Guichaiya and Ephraim Shikanga from JKUAT, joined by Machakos University’s Mark Omaiko and Ian Omwenga, claim the first prize, outperforming student teams from over 48 countries.
Notably, these four emerged from a pool of more than 6,000 Kenyan hopefuls. Only 12 made it to the global stage—and they brought their A-game.
And it didn’t stop there.
Innovation at its best: Turning ideas into global impact
If there was ever a time to believe in student-led innovation, this was it. The Innovation Track lit up with yet another Kenyan victory, thanks to a creative powerhouse trio—Karimi Muriithi, Denis Syengo, and Peterson Kariuki of Egerton University—under the guidance of Patricia Gitonga from the University of Nairobi.
Their project? A Smart Air Quality Monitoring System designed to tackle real-world environmental challenges using AI and IoT—a pitch delivered live and in person, proving that Kenyan innovation isn’t just theoretical; it’s actionable and scalable.
The team didn’t just bag awards—they made it clear that Kenya is emerging as a true hub of intelligent solutions in Africa’s tech space.
A celebration of diversity and excellence in cloud and networking
The Cloud Track saw Kenya’s all-female team earn a standing ovation—and a silver medal. Ifrah Hussein and Beverly Ndombi of Moi University teamed up with Banzy from JKUAT, taking home second place and an extra accolade: the Women in Technology Award. It’s a special recognition that not only honors skill but also underlines the growing impact of female talent in STEM.
Meanwhile, in the Network Track, a united front from three universities—JKUAT’s Rukia Mwari Mohammed, Machakos University’s Brian Kipkoech, and University of Nairobi’s Odanga Clemet—secured second place with their combined tech finesse.
And as if that wasn’t enough, Egerton’s “Silicon Savannah” team added a third-place finish in the Innovation category, reinforcing the country’s growing rep as a tech-savvy nation to watch.
Bridging the digital divide, one code at a time
The competition—hosted under the theme “Connection, Glory and Future”—attracted over 210,000 participants from more than 2,000 universities globally.
Backed by UNESCO’s Global Skills Academy as a flagship youth upskilling program, the Huawei ICT Competition has become a vital platform for bridging the digital skills gap worldwide. In China, it’s even listed as a national-level contest.
Kenya’s high-profile presence in Shenzhen was led by Youth and Creative Economy PS Fikirini Jacobs and Kenyan Ambassador to China Willy Bett, signaling serious government backing for youth talent and international ICT collaboration.
Huawei officials noted that this year’s contest featured upgraded tracks aligned with the evolving demands of an intelligent world. The convergence of academia, industry, and government wasn’t just symbolic—it was strategic. As one Huawei representative put it, these talented youth will be the ones to “bridge the digital divide and integrate green principles into their designs.”
Conclusion: Kenya’s tech moment is now
From code to cloud to climate solutions, Kenyan students have shown the world that brilliance doesn’t require a Silicon Valley zip code.
It takes vision, opportunity, and a country ready to bet on its youth. The Huawei ICT Competition was more than just a contest for these students—it was a global stage, and they owned it.
