The Chinese multinational technology corporation, Huawei, is currently playing a significant role in enhancing the capacity of Kenyan government technical officers through a comprehensive training programme aimed at boosting Information and Communication Technology skills across various levels.
The company is empowering public servants with the necessary skills to navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape, thus contributing to improved governance and service delivery in Kenya. This initiative comes at a time when the Kenyan government is actively transitioning to a digital economy in a bid to, besides enhancing public service delivery, will promote digital literacy, and expand access to digital tools.
Recently, the government of Kenya, through the National Computer and Cybercrime Coordination Committee (NC4), signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Huawei Technologies to further advance this initiative.
The MoU establishes a structured framework for ongoing collaboration between Huawei and NC4, focusing on improving Kenya’s cybersecurity landscape and aims to create a comprehensive approach to cybercrime prevention and response.
“This strategic partnership is a key step in bolstering Kenya’s Digital Superhighway and securing the rapidly growing Creative Economy by building robust cyber defense capabilities,” said Dr. Raymond Omollo, the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Interior and National Administration.
Dr. Omollo, who also witnessed the graduation of another batch of government officers who successfully completed advanced training in cybersecurity courtesy of Huawei, noted that such initiatives are crucial for Kenya’s developmental aspirations.
“This specialized program, delivered in collaboration with Huawei Technologies Kenya, aligns with the Computer and Cybercrimes Regulations of 2024 and underscores our commitment to safeguarding Kenya’s digital infrastructure,” said Dr. Omollo, who also chairs NC4.
Huawei Kenya Deputy Chief Executive Officer Steven Zhang stated that the company remains steadfast in its commitment to capacity building and empowering Kenya’s workforce with advanced knowledge and skills.
“We are proud to have collaborated with NC4 in delivering specialized cybersecurity training that aligns with the Computer and Cybercrimes Regulations of 2024. Together, we are fostering cyber defense capabilities to secure Kenya’s digital transformation journey,” he said.
Zhang underscored the significance of strategic partnerships in enhancing cybersecurity measures and promoting a knowledge-based economy. He expressed confidence that the collaboration between Huawei and the Kenyan government will instil best practices, particularly among public servants. He stated that training will bolster national resilience against cyber threats, similar to the improvements seen in China, the world’s second-largest economy.
PS Omollo reiterated that the ongoing upskilling of civil servants is crucial to combat evolving cyber threats. He noted that as Kenya’s digital economy continues to grow, the risks associated with cybercrime also increase.
In 2022, Huawei entered into a landmark agreement with the Kenyan government through a public-private partnership to train 20,000 public sector employees, including 12,500 civil servants, over three years. The initiative aims to enhance the ICT skills necessary for better public service delivery and digital governance. The training programmes encompass both technical and non-technical aspects of ICT, such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, and have already contributed to the training of hundreds of civil servants across various ICT disciplines.
