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Youth, Policy, and Partnership: Kenya’s New Blueprint for a Digital-First Economy

Insights from the Huawei LEAP Career Fair 2025 on Co-Creating Kenya’s Digital Future

Author

Gerald Kombo
July 09, 2025

At the University of Nairobi Grounds, Kenya’s government and private sector players laid out a powerful joint vision for driving digital transformation, empowering youth, and redefining the role of collaboration in national development.

Interior Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Professor Kithure Kindiki, Director of Partnerships and Policy at Huawei Kenya, Mr. Adam Lane, and Kilimall Human Resource Manager, Ms. Susan Wanjiru, each brought unique perspectives that aligned on a common agenda: Kenya’s progress will be driven by digital talent, policy reform, and bold partnerships.

Professor Kithure Kindiki: Kenya’s Youth Hold the Key to Global Relevance

Professor Kindiki began with a global lens, pointing to Africa’s demographic advantage.

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“Africa remains at the center for the future of the world. The conductor today is the youngest, and that conductor is Africa.”

He stressed that Kenya’s young population is not just an opportunity, but a strategic force in shaping the global future of work.

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“Young people are going to be an important variable in defining the future success of the world. And not just the people but young people. Especially young people.”

Kindiki called for investment in education, skills development, and innovation, positioning the youth as the cornerstone of national transformation.

Collapsing the Divide Between Public and Private

In a striking policy shift, Professor Kindiki declared the end of the traditional wall separating the public and private sectors.

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“We are coming from a history where something was either public or private. That division is increasingly getting blurred. And I dare say, this marrying of the public-private sector divide is irreversible.”

He emphasized that the Government of Kenya is no longer operating in silos and is openly embracing strategic private sector participation.

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“As we solve our national problems, we are not targeted as public sector to give all the solutions. We need the private sector. We are protected and positive.”

He pointed to recent urban projects in Nairobi as clear cases where public-private partnerships have delivered visible impact.

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“Some of the fairly good projects that have transformed this city would not have been possible if there was no public-private partnership. Because it is private resources used to provide a public good.”

He concluded with a challenge to both sectors:

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“We must be reflective. How do we, as public sector, enable private sector to help us converge our interests and speed up the development of Kenya and the development of the world?”

Mr. Adam Lane: Huawei’s Strategy for Policy-Driven, Localized Digital Transformation

Following Professor Kindiki’s keynote, Mr. Adam Lane, Director of Partnerships and Policy at Huawei Kenya, offered Huawei’s roadmap for contributing to Kenya’s development through talent development, local partnerships, and enabling policy.

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“Huawei has been very active here ever since we entered the Kenya market over 25 years ago.”

Lane traced Huawei’s journey from establishing its first regional training center in 2008, to deeper engagements with universities and more recently, technical and vocational training institutions (TVETs).

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“We began with universities, and in the last three years we’ve focused more and more on TVETs.”

Huawei’s LEAP Program to Expand

Huawei’s training initiatives reach over 10,000 Kenyans annually, and Lane confirmed that the effort is growing.

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“Our LEAP program will continue and probably grow.”

The company is delivering training to university students, rural youth, and professionals in emerging areas like cloud computing, solar energy, and enterprise-level tech.

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“We do more and more training on cloud, more training in solar power, and other aspects related to the business to grow.”

Policy Barriers: Taxation and County-Level Fees

While supportive of Kenya’s digital policy trajectory, Lane was direct about the operational bottlenecks businesses still face.

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“We see a lot of potential in reducing the burden that it takes for some businesses to build successful businesses in Kenya.”

He singled out the following:

  • Taxation proposals that increase the cost of doing business

  • High fiber-building fees imposed by county governments

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“When county governments want to raise revenue, they sometimes charge fees from businesses. That holds back businesses from investing and increases the cost of whatever they build.”

Policy Progress: Cloud, AI, and Building Standards

Lane acknowledged positive policy milestones in which Huawei has been actively engaged:

  • Kenya’s National Cloud Policy (March 2025)

  • National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (April 2025)

  • A new building code mandating fiber readiness in all new developments

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“The new building code mandates all new buildings whether single dwelling or multi-dwelling, commercial or residential to be fiber ready. It also enhances competition.”

Digital Services and New Business Models

Lane also discussed new delivery models that make it easier to adopt digital infrastructure affordably.

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“Cloud-based models don't require such big upfront investment. That’s a way of making it more affordable to bring in or develop new services and solutions.”

Huawei is also partnering with local developers to co-create products tailored for the Kenyan market.

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“We continue to expand our partnerships with local companies to enable them to develop solutions that they can then sell in the local market.”

He emphasized the cost-saving potential of digitization in public service delivery.

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“Telemedicine, for example, can reduce a lot of costs - travel costs, time wasted by doctors and patients.”

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“If you can measure those savings, then it helps you understand the business case and business model for investing in these kinds of systems.”

Huawei is actively collaborating with government agencies in smart healthcare, smart ports, and smart education. One key project is its partnership with the Open University of Kenya.

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“We’re exploring all kinds of different business models, and I think there’s a lot of opportunities there.”

Susan Wanjiru-HRBP Kilimall International Limited: Kilimall Taps Local Talent and Builds with Youth

Kilimall, one of the key exhibitors at the job fair, is leveraging its partnership with Huawei to source and support local talent. Susan Wanjiru highlighted how Kilimall is offering both internships and formal job opportunities aligned to its growing operations.

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“Being part of this program allows us to meet vibrant talents, tell them about what we do, and offer them opportunities,” she said.

She explained that the company is currently hosting interns in its HR department from the University of Nairobi and also recruiting for multiple departments.

These include:

  • Internships and mentorship in Human Resources

  • Entry-level roles in the Marketplace Department

  • Sales and customer experience roles at KiliShops, the company’s pickup station network

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“We’re expanding our KiliShops and looking for a team to help us develop and manage these outlets. That includes training agents, resolving order issues, and ensuring operational excellence.”

Conclusion: A Blueprint That’s Already in Motion

Kenya is building a digital-first, youth-powered, and partnership-driven economy. The public and private sectors are not in competition but in concert. The result, as seen at the job fair, is a future already underway.