Huawei sets digital skilling pace in Elgeyo Marakwet

A report by GSMA Intelligence which has the backing of Huawei, released at UNESCO’s Digital Learning Week, finds that enhancing digital skills could boost global GDP by $3.5 trillion from 2023 to 2030.

Bridging the Divide: Enhancing Digital Literacy in the AI Era report also finds that with the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) those lacking digital skills could be left even further behind.

The (particular) good news is that 330 young people have completed digital literacy skills training in Elgeyo Marakwet even as the new report identifies digital skilling as key to GDP growth in AI era.

The training was delivered using the Huawei DigiTruck by Computers for Schools Kenya and the Office for the Data Protection Commissioner. The content covered the basics of using computers, smartphones and the internet, key productivity software, cybersecurity, and how to find jobs and buy and sell online.

Bridge and barrier

The report finds that AI could act as both a bridge and a barrier for underserved communities, with AI-powered applications that work with images, audio, video, and text easier to use and of great help to those with low-levels of digital literacy.

At the same time, they raise the security and critical-thinking standards required to stay safe online such as making it harder to identify risks such as fraud and deepfakes.

Without targeted interventions in basic digital training, the authors warn, rapid AI adoption risks entrenching existing inequalities even in areas with full network coverage.

The report emphasizes the need for community-based delivery models, citing Huawei’s DigiTruck initiative as a field-tested example that was pioneered in Kenya and which, a report released in 2024 found, has proven to increase trainees’ incomes and employment opportunities.

“Infrastructure without digital skills is a highway with no vehicles. That is why this intensive, one-month digital training for 330 youth in Keiyo South is the ultimate highlight of our strategy. We are equipping our young people first, so that as we aggressively roll out last-mile fibre optic cables leveraging Kenya Power’s infrastructure, we have a ready workforce,” said Eng. John Tanui, PS for ICT and the Digital Economy.

Speaking during the ceremony Opiyo Wandayi, Cabinet Secretary Energy and Petroleum commended Huawei on the Digitruck initiative saying digital skills can only deliver their full value when communities have reliable access to both connectivity and power.

“As Government, we are committed to expanding internet and electricity connectivity particularly in underserved areas so that the knowledge and skills gained through initiatives such as DigiTruck can be translated into real opportunities, livelihoods and better services. We thank Huawei for being a valued partner in advancing this shared vision,”Wandayi said.

Adam Lane, Director for Policy and Partnerships at Huawei Kenya, congratulated the youth who won the Innovation Competition for their ideas on using their digital skills to improve their community, and emphasized the plan for continually updating the DigiTruck curriculum with their partners as AI evolves to help Kenyans avoid risks and take advantage of AI.

Dr. Gideon Kimaiyo Kipkoech, MP for Keiyo South Constituency Huawei DigiTruck ICT program has transformed Keiyo South big time.

“The 330+ graduates today are now equipped to compete in the digital economy and this is true empowerment. On behalf of the people of Keiyo South, thank you for investing in our future,” said Kipkoech.