By Jameson
The Huawei ICT Competition 2025/2026 Regional Final Bootcamp Training has officially kicked off in Kenya, bringing together 21 exceptional students selected from nearly 3,000 applicants drawn from universities and TVET institutions across the country.
The rigorous national selection process identified top performing students from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, the University of Nairobi, Africa Nazarene University, Multimedia University, the Technical University of Kenya, Moi University, Machakos University, and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology. For the first time, a team from PC Kinyanjui Technical Training Institute qualified for the regional stage, marking a significant milestone for TVET participation in advanced ICT competitions.
The bootcamp comes against the backdrop of a three year partnership between Huawei and the State Department for Technical Vocational Education and Training, running from 2025 to 2028, aimed at strengthening digital skills development in Kenya. The collaboration was formalised through a memorandum of understanding signed during the 2025 Southern Africa Region Huawei ICT Competition Award Ceremony and seeks to equip the country’s workforce with future ready ICT skills while supporting national digital transformation goals.
Under the agreement, Huawei will establish 150 ICT Academies in TVET institutions, offering training in networking, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. The programme targets certification of 1,000 students annually at HCIA level, training of 150 instructors each year, and support for ICT competitions, job fairs, and industry linkages. In turn, SDTVET will identify host institutions, promote Huawei certification nationwide, recognise the Huawei Certified Instructor Certificate, and support talent development initiatives aligned with Kenya’s national skills strategy.
This year’s bootcamp was officiated by the Principal of PC Kinyanjui Technical Training Institute, Ms Lucy Anampiu, who congratulated the students on their achievement and urged them to make the most of the opportunity.
“Being selected among thousands of applicants is a remarkable achievement. This competition proves that TVET students can compete at the highest level globally, and we are proud to see PC Kinyanjui represented for the first time,” Anampiu said.
During the opening session, Huawei ICT Academy Manager Michael Kamau outlined the structure of the Regional Final, competition timelines, performance expectations, and the level of discipline and teamwork required to succeed.
“The Huawei ICT Competition is designed to bridge academia and industry by equipping students with practical, in demand ICT skills. This bootcamp prepares you not just to compete, but to excel regionally and globally,” Kamau said.
The competition is organised around four core technology tracks: Network, Cloud and AI, Computing, and Innovation. Of the 21 students selected, three are from the TVET category at PC Kinyanjui, while 18 are from universities. Female students make up one third of the cohort, drawn from PC Kinyanjui, the Cooperative University of Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, and the University of Nairobi.
The bootcamp also featured strong industry engagement, with Huawei Technologies Kenya Hiring Manager Mathew Kiptoo addressing participants and highlighting career opportunities within the company. He invited eligible students to apply for the Huawei Graduate Program Training scheduled for July.
“We are not only looking for technical skills, but also attitude, innovation, and willingness to learn. This competition is a direct talent pipeline, and we encourage you to take the next step by joining our graduate training programme,” Kiptoo said.
Participants said the experience had already begun shaping their career outlook. Stephen, a student from JKUAT and a top performer in the Network Track, said the bootcamp had boosted his confidence.
“Being part of this bootcamp is an incredible experience. I have learned so much in just one day, and the guidance from Huawei experts makes me confident that I can compete at the regional and even global level. This is a real step toward my career in ICT,” he said.
Through the bootcamp and competition, students gain advanced hands on technical training and mentorship, exposure to global ICT standards and certifications, career guidance and recruitment opportunities, and regional and international visibility.
Top performing teams from the Regional Final, competing against more than 62 teams from 15 countries, will qualify for the Global Final in China in June 2026, where they will represent the region on the world stage.
Reaching the Global Final places students among the leading ICT talent worldwide and opens doors to global exposure, innovation, and collaboration.
The Huawei ICT Competition continues to serve as a flagship platform for talent development, industry academia collaboration, and digital skills advancement, supporting Kenya’s and the wider region’s digital transformation agenda.
