The ICT Talent Cultivation for Kenya’s Digital economy whitepaper has been released following a joint partnership between Huawei and UNESCO.
The whitepaper provides research findings on the situation of Kenya’s ICT Talent development but and guidelines and recommendations to better improve the current programs in place by stakeholders including academia, industry and government.
The reveal was led by Ministry of ICT’s Cabinet Secretary Joseph Mucheru.
Also present were the University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor Prof. Stephen Kiama, Huawei Deputy CEO Public Affairs Ms. Fiona Pan, Ministry of Education Assistant Director for Technical Education Mr. Ephraim Munene, and UNESCO’s Senior Program Specialist Dr. Partey Samuel.
The pandemic did catapult the digital economy across the world, and Kenya is no exception.
It is, therefore, projected that by 2026, the digital economy will account for 25% of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP), up from 15.5 % in 2016.
Although Africa expects the digital economy to contribute about 5.2% of its GDP by 2025, Kenya’s digital economy is expected to generate 9.24% of the total GDP by 2025,
This will contribute to the projected 33% growth of the gig economy within the same period.
The development, and other factors, showcase the significance of the digital economy to Kenya’s economic prospects and transformation.
It has also been reiterated that the government is committed to increasing the pace of industry – TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) collaboration in curricula delivery, governance, and financing of TVET.
This, accordingly, will enable TVETs to keep pace with the rapidly changing digital ecosystem and the requirement of the labour market.
“This transformation requires a massive investment in the relevant skills set that will allow for the youth and the old alike to partake and take advantage of the opportunities presented by the digital economy and the gig economy,” Stated CS Joseph Mucheru. “I would like to commend Huawei for your commitment and investment in developing the local ICT talent.” He added.
“At Huawei, we take pride in not only helping grow the ICT infrastructure within the country but also the local ICT talent. We have various initiatives to contribute meaningfully to Kenya’s ICT development through our training programs. We provide internships, training programs, and full-time recruitment,” Ms. Fiona Pan, Deputy CEO, Huawei Kenya
