TVET students urged to register for 2026 ICT global competition

The Ministry of Education has urged principals of TVET institutions across the country to encourage students to register for the forthcoming Huawei ICT Global competition.

Principal Secretary TVETs Dr Esther Muoria on Thursday said the competition has become an important platform for identifying, nurturing, and showcasing top ICT talent from both Universities and TVET institutions.

Muoria said it is a shining example of the positive impact that public–private partnerships can have on education and youth empowerment.

According to her, earlier this year, Huawei and the State Department for TVET signed a Memorandum of Understanding in South Africa to strengthen talent development collaboration.

This MoU she said, will help expand ICT training opportunities to 150 of TVET institutions, and annually build ICT skills capacity for TVET trainers and learners while fostering innovation to enhance the industry readiness of TVET graduates.

“ICT is no longer just a support function, it is central to our manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, logistics, and financial sectors,” she said.

Muoria said since inception of the initiative in 2018, Huawei who are the implementing partners had engaged university students, but after the MoU, all stakeholders agreed that more TVET students should be engaged.

“Emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Big Data, the Internet of Things, and Cybersecurity are transforming how we work and live, making continuous upskilling not just an option but a necessity,” said Muoria, adding, “This is where TVET institutions play a critical role, producing hands-on, industry-relevant skills that respond directly to market demands.”

According to her, the  ICT Competition provides a practical, competitive, and innovative environment for students to test their abilities by encouraging problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity, while also giving them valuable exposure to global ICT standards and opportunities for international recognition.

Such initiatives, she said, are instrumental in bridging the gap between academic training and the realities of the job market.

“The Ministry of Education, through the State Department for TVET, is committed to expanding ICT-related courses in our technical institutions, supporting industry–academia collaboration to keep skills relevant, and encouraging more youth participation in technology competitions. Partnerships with industry leaders such as Huawei are therefore strategic to our national goals and to the success of our young people,” said Muoria.

Her sentiments were echoed by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula who said the competition has so far impacted more than 12,000 students from over 40 universities, colleges, and TVET institutions across the country.

These students he said have not only acquired valuable skills but have also contributed to Kenya’s rising reputation as a hub for technological innovation in Africa.

“I wish to assure you that Parliament will continue to provide an enabling legislative and policy framework to support the growth of ICT and innovation in Kenya. We will work closely with stakeholders to ensure that policies, budgets, and regulatory measures foster an environment where young innovators can thrive and compete at both municipal and international for a,” Wetangula said.

The Speaker argued that the future of the country rests in the hands of young innovators, and the ICT sector is central to building the Kenya of tomorrow.

“This competition offers a platform to learn, compete, and gain the expertise that is in high demand globally. This is not just a contest, it is a transformative journey that will open doors, shape futures, and expand horizons,” said Wetangula.

Huawei’s Kenya ICT Academy Program Manager Michael Kamau said the impact of the competition has gone far beyond the borders with more than 40 Kenyan students having qualified for the global finals in China, competing with some of the world’s most brilliant minds.

“Many of these finalists have joined Huawei’s prestigious Management Trainee Program or secured roles with Huawei Channel Partners, a clear testament to the exceptional calibre of the students,” said Mr Kamau.

Kamau said the competition will offer Kenyan students an international platform to strengthen their ICT knowledge, improve practical skills and foster innovation using latest technologies.

He said the 10th edition seeks to enrol about 10,000 from both universities, TVET institutions and colleges across the country.

The students will compete in networking, clouding and computing with a grand prize of 15,000 RMB’s for the winner.

Kamau said participants are required to start registration which will close in October before the competition enters its preliminary stage in November.

“The participants will undergo exam tests at every level before we do the national exam in December. This will be followed by a regional exam being held in Feb 2026 and global final which will happen in China in May 2026,” he said.