Students from across Sub-Saharan Africa convened in Shenzhen, China, for the LEAP Digital Talent Study Camp, a week-long training program aimed at equipping the young students with advanced digital skills and fostering innovation.
The program featured technical courses such as 5G and 5.5G technologies, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud computing, and a leadership workshop.
Ultimately, the event culminated in the Tech4Good competition, where participants from different countries formed teams to create technology-driven solutions for pressing societal challenges.
In a press statement sent to news rooms, Sena Voncuvoji, Africa China Analyst and Diplomatic Engagement Lead and Founder of ReVodution and Jaspora Tokyo described the LEAP Digital Talent Study Camp as a transformative experience for participants.
“It fosters collaboration, leadership, and innovation among young minds, ensuring they are well-prepared to address real-world challenges using technology,” explained Voncuvoji.
Kenya was proudly represented by 10 students from different universities across the country who divided into two teams to take part in the competition.
For instance, one Kenyan team developed an innovative solution called Mafreeco, inspired by the Swahili term “mafuriko” (floods), which proposes a smart system to tackle Kenya’s recurrent flooding crisis by clearing drainage systems of trash and debris, helping mitigate flood damage.
The Mafreeco team’s creativity and technical prowess earned them a spot in the Tech4Good finals, where they competed against standout teams from South Africa, Mauritius and Malawi.
Ashley Yigo, a member of the Mafreeco team, said, “The week was incredibly exhilarating, especially when our group advanced to the finals despite working with just 1-2 hours of sleep a day to execute our project to perfection.”
Yigo noted that the event was an invaluable experience, where they gained global insights into technology and networking adding that it was also great meeting other students from around the continent.
Beyond the competition, the study camp provided students with hands-on learning and exposure to cutting-edge technologies, reinforcing the importance of digital skills for the future.
Participants also had the opportunity to engage in cultural exchanges, further strengthening regional collaboration.
This initiative is part of Huawei’s commitment to cultivating a digitally skilled workforce in Africa, empowering youth to drive social and economic progress through technology.
By Michael Omondi