Kenyan students have made the nation proud after clinching second place in the Cloud category at the prestigious Global Huawei ICT Competition held in Shenzhen, China. Team Kenya, an all-girl group composed of Ifrah Hussein and Beverly Ndombi from Moi University, alongside Banzy from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), showcased their prowess in cloud technologies to earn the coveted position.
The competition, now in its ninth edition, has grown into one of the most significant ICT contests globally since its inception in 2015. Over the years, it has attracted more than 960,000 students from over 2,000 institutions across more than 100 countries and regions. This year’s event, which ran from Tuesday, May 20 to Saturday, May 24, drew over 210,000 participants globally under the theme “Connection, Glory and Future.”
Team Kenya’s achievement is especially notable given the intensity and scale of the competition, which features rigorous hands-on labs, workshops, and real-world problem-solving tasks. Guided by Huawei-certified instructors, students gain invaluable exposure to emerging technologies in cloud computing, networking, artificial intelligence, and more.
The Kenyan delegation to the global finals comprised 12 students grouped into four teams, competing across four key categories: network, cloud, computing, and innovation. Their impressive performance highlights Kenya’s growing prominence on the global tech stage and the increasing role of young women in ICT.
Accompanying the students was Fikirini Katoi Kahindi, Principal Secretary of the State Department of Youth and Creative Economy, underscoring the government’s support for youth innovation and talent development in the technology sector.
Huawei’s ICT competition is part of the company’s broader commitment to nurturing ICT talent and fostering digital transformation through education. Kenya’s success at the 2024 finals is a testament to the potential of African youth and the importance of continued investment in ICT training and infrastructure.
As the world looks ahead to the 2024-2025 edition of the competition, Kenya’s performance sets a high standard and inspires the next generation of tech leaders from the region
