Kenyan students have once again demonstrated their growing dominance in the global tech arena by securing top honors at the prestigious Huawei ICT Competition 2024/2025 finals.
The event, held in Shenzhen, China, saw Team Kenya emerge as a powerhouse of innovation and computing excellence, earning accolades that underscore the country’s rising influence in the international ICT landscape.
Gold in Computing, Bronze in Innovation
In a groundbreaking performance, Kenyan students clinched the coveted first prize in the Computing track, marking an extraordinary milestone for the nation.
The winning team comprised Esther Guichaiya and Ephraim Shikanga from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), alongside Mark Omaiko and Ian Omwenga from Machakos University.
Their victory followed a grueling selection process that began with over 6,000 Kenyan students, from which only a select few advanced to the global finals.
In the Programming Competition, participants were tasked with developing Open Harmony IoT applications in an intense six-hour lab session. Judging focused on both the sophistication of the code and the real-world applicability of their solutions.
The Kenyan team’s technical skill, creative problem-solving, and collaborative spirit propelled them to the top of the global leaderboard.
Kenya also made a remarkable impression in the Innovation category, where the team of Karimi Muriithi, Denis Syengo, and Peterson Kariuki—students from Egerton University—secured a commendable third prize.
Under the mentorship of University of Nairobi instructor Patricia Gitonga, the team delivered a compelling in-person presentation of their AI-powered solution, highlighting its innovative approach to real-world problems.
A Global Tech Stage
This year’s competition marked the ninth edition of the Huawei ICT Competition and was themed “Connection, Glory and Future.”
It brought together more than 210,000 students and educators from over 2,000 universities in 48 countries and regions, reinforcing its status as one of the largest and most impactful global platforms for student talent in ICT.
Since its inception in 2015, the competition has attracted more than 960,000 participants from over 100 countries and regions, making it a cornerstone initiative for identifying and nurturing ICT talent.
It has earned recognition from global institutions, notably receiving endorsement from UNESCO’s Global Skills Academy as a flagship program for youth digital upskilling.
Government Support and Global Collaboration
Kenya’s delegation to the competition was led by Principal Secretary for Youth and the Creative Economy Fikirini Jacobs and Kenyan Ambassador to China Willy Bett.
Their presence not only underscored the government’s commitment to youth empowerment through technology but also signaled the country’s strategic investment in the digital economy and international partnerships.
The Huawei ICT Competition plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between academia and industry by promoting technical proficiency, innovation, and global collaboration.
For Kenya, the triumph in this year’s competition is not just a win for the students involved—it’s a powerful statement of the country’s potential as a global technology leader.
Loking Ahead…
As the digital revolution continues to reshape the global economy, Kenya’s outstanding performance at the Huawei ICT Competition 2024/2025 reflects a broader transformation taking place within the country’s education and technology sectors.
With continued investment in youth skills and international partnerships, Kenya is positioning itself as a formidable force in the future of global ICT innovation.
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