Huawei renews MoU with ICTA to support Kenya’s digital transformation and build ICT capacity

In an effort to drive digital transformation in Kenya, Huawei Technologies has renewed their long trusted partnership with the government to improve provision of ICT skills, build capacity as well as infrastructure and IT services.

This partnership was sealed with the signing of the second MoU between the ICT Authority and Huawei Technologies today by ICT CEO Robert Mugo and Huawei Kenya’s Director for Contract and Commercial Fulfillment Mr. Tony Liu.

Speaking during the ceremony, Huawei’s deputy CEO Frank Zhou highlighted Huawei’s contribution to the Kenyan economy.

“Huawei is keen on partnering with the government and other agencies on ICT projects that will go a long way in boosting the country’s economy. For us the signing of this MoU is proof of our continued commitment towards growing the ICT sector in Kenya”, Frank  Zhou, Deputy CEO, Huawei

“Huawei is keen on partnering with the government and other agencies on ICT projects that will go a long way in boosting the country’s economy. For us the signing of this MoU is proof of our continued commitment towards growing the ICT sector in Kenya”, said Mr. Zhou.

According to a report by the World Bank and Huawei connectivity index, there is a direct co-relation between ICT development and the growth of a country’s economy.

Principal Secretary Ministry of ICT Mr. Victor Kyalo said that there are various opportunities available for ICT students. “In the last two years, the government has created an ecosystem with ICT opportunities for young people through programs Seeds for the Future and the Presidential Digital Talent Programme; and it is up to the young people to take this up for their benefit”, said Kyalo.

Under the previous MoU with the ICT Authority, there were a number of notable achievements by Huawei Technologies among them the provision of internships to 100 students at the Huawei Kenya offices, and sponsoring another 28 to go to China for ICT training. Other key achievements were through their contribution to supporting youth initiatives, industry development, training and using ICT for development activities.

‘Seeds for the Future’ is one of Huawei Technologies’ flagship projects started under the 2014 MoU with the ICT authority; and is focused on providing necessary ICT skills and work experience to ICT students. This ensures that they are well equipped for the job market.

The program which was first started in Kenya in 2014, provides students with an opportunity to travel to China for two weeks for intense ICT training on top of a two-month internship in Kenya.

This year, 9 students from Kenya have been selected to travel to the Huawei headquarters in Shenzhen, where they will go through this training alongside others who have been selected from other Huawei offices around the world.

The 2017 MoU is focused on ICT research and innovation, sharing ICT best practices, development of ICT infrastructure and e-government services, building  ICT capacity amongst government and the ecosystem, promoting digital skills for university students and promoting ICT literacy amongst the disadvantaged and unemployed.

In Kenya Huawei continues to lay out its digital transformation plans for various major ministries such as health, security, education, and transport among others in a bid to help the country fulfill its vision 2030.