from MARIA MACHARIA in Nairobi, Kenya
Kenya Bureau
NAIROBI, (CAJ News) – THE partnership between Huawei and Kenya has delivered another milestone in building essential digital skills for the future, with the launch of the Digital Classroom project.
Launched on the opening day of the four-day Connected Africa Summit that began on Monday, it was unveiled at the new Mukuru Primary School in Nairobi as part of Huawei’s Tech4Good programme.
It is hailed as a transformative initiative to expand access to quality digital learning by equipping learners and teachers with modern technology, connected classrooms and new opportunities to build vital digital skills.
According to the technology firm Huawei, this project is a significant example of how collaboration can help bridge learning gaps, empower communities and unlock potential through education.
The launch is part of a partnership to roll out connected classrooms, smart boards and reliable connectivity at 10 000 schools.
William Gitau, Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, led delegates attending the Connected Africa Summit at the launch in Mukuru, located about 7km south of the Nairobi central business district.
Ministers, deputies or secretaries of ICT from Angola, Algeria, Burundi, Djibouti, Malawi, Uganda and Zimbabwe attended the launch.
“By equipping learners at the earliest stages with essential digital skills, we are expanding access to knowledge while nurturing creativity, curiosity and confidence for a rapidly evolving world,” he said.
“It is about giving every child, regardless of background, a fair opportunity to acquire digital literacy, innovate and participate meaningfully in the global economy,” he added.
Apart from closing long-standing education and connectivity gaps, the digital classroom project also focuses on empowering teachers.
Gitau said the partnership with Huawei on the rollout under the Tech4Good initiative demonstrated the power of public-private partnerships.
“When government, private sector and communities come together, we move beyond policy into real, tangible impact,” he said.
Huawei’s Tech4Good is an entrepreneurship programme to help young people learn about the latest trends in digitalisation.
Kenya and Huawei already partner in education through initiatives like the DigiTruck project and Seeds for the Future initiative.
Kenya is considered Huawei’s first African market after establishing operations in 1988.
– CAJ News