Kenyan students win big at global Huawei ICT competition in China

In the Innovation category, Kenya's team secured third prize

by FELIX KIPKEMOI

News24 May 2025 - 13:50

In Summary

The Huawei ICT Competition is globally recognised and has been endorsed by UNESCO’s Global Skills Academy as a flagship initiative for upskilling youth.
In China, it is considered a national-level competition for university students.

Kenya has recorded a historic achievement at the Huawei ICT competition 2024/2025 finals, with its student teams earning top global honors in both the Computing and Innovation categories.

Team Kenya clinched first prize in the Computing track, with an outstanding performance by Esther Gichaiya and Ephraim Shikanga from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), alongside Mark Omaiko and Ian Omwenga from Machakos University

The team was selected from over 6,000 Kenyan students who registered for the competition, with only 12 making it to the global stage.

The Programming Competition focuses on OpenHarmony IoT application development and involves a 6-hour comprehensive lab session that puts emphasis on code quality and functional implementation.

Team Kenya also secured more wins in the innovation category.

The group included Karimi Muriithi, Denis Syengo, and Peterson Kariuki from Egerton University, guided by instructor Patricia Gitonga from the University of Nairobi.

The Innovation Competition required students to deliver presentations in person, showcasing their ability to use AI and other ICTs in creative, real-world solutions.

Their project showcased creativity, problem-solving, and real-world application, further solidifying Kenya’s place on the global tech map.

In the highly competitive Cloud Track, an impressive all-female contingent comprising Ifrah Hussein and Beverly Ndombi from Moi University, alongside Banzy from JKUAT, clinched the second-place honor.

The Network Track also saw a joint university effort secure the second prize. This winning collaboration featured Rukia Mwari Mohammed of JKUAT, Brian Kipkoech from Machakos University, and Odanga Clemet representing the University of Nairobi.

Egerton University's "Silicon Savannah" team earned the third-place distinction in the Innovation Track.

Their ingenious Smart Air Quality Monitoring System captured attention. The team was composed of instructor Patricia Gitonga from the University of Nairobi, and promising students Karimi Muriithi, Denis Syengo, and Peterson Kariuki from Egerton University

The Huawei ICT Competition, now in its ninth edition, attracted over 210,000 students and teachers from more than 2,000 universities across 48 countries and regions.

Held under the theme “Connection, Glory and Future,” the competition fosters digital skills, encourages innovation, and strengthens links between academia and the ICT industry.

The Kenyan delegation to Shenzhen was led by Youth and Creative Economy Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs and Kenya’s ambassador to China, Willy Bett.

Their presence highlighted the government's commitment to nurturing youth talent and supporting global collaboration in the digital economy.

The Huawei ICT Competition is globally recognised and has been endorsed by UNESCO’s Global Skills Academy as a flagship initiative for upskilling youth.

In China, it is considered a national-level competition for university students.

The Huawei ICT Competition is an annual flagship event for global colleges and universities.

Since its launch in 2015, it has grown significantly in influence.

In China, it has been listed as a national competition for university students, while globally, it has been recognized as a key partner flagship programme by UNESCO's Global Skills Academy.

To date, the competition has attracted over 960,000 students and educators from more than 2,000 colleges and universities in over 100 countries and regions.

Huawei's Director of ICT Talent Partner Development Department, Sun Gang, attended the ceremony and delivered the opening address.

He remarked that this year's competition consists of upgraded tracks that answer the call of the intelligent world; and joint participation from governments, industries, and academia strengthens global education collaboration.

"The talented young people around the world will continue to explore frontier technologies and lead in innovation, use technology to bridge the digital divide, and integrate green principles into [their] designs," he said.