A Major Push for Youth Employment and Digital Transformation in Kenya: UoN hosts LEAP Job Fair 2025

The "Nation/Huawei LEAP Job Fair, “a collaborative effort between Nation Media Group, Huawei Technologies, and the University of Nairobi concluded today at the University of Nairobi Grounds, marking a significant milestone in addressing youth unemployment and fostering digital skills development in Kenya. The event themed, "Unlocking Potential, Building Connections," brought together government leaders, corporate executives, and education stakeholders, for a united front to empower Kenyan youth for the digital future.

The job fair opened opportunities for over 1,000 job opportunities to Kenyan youth by over  70 Chinese and Kenyan enterprises, underscoring the deepening collaboration between Kenya and China in promoting industrial growth and inclusive development.

The University  of Nairobi, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Margaret Hutchinson welcomed the Deputy President to the  institution  and thanked the Huawei technologies for choosing University as its partner. "Together we celebrate opportunities and reaffirm the power of collaboration, innovation and, unlocking human potential. She further stated that LEAP job fair stands as a testament to our shared commitment to transforming education into meaningful employment. Huawei ICT academy, has empowered over 600 students annually with advanced skills in areas such as data communication, artificial intelligence and, cloud computing. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, speaking at the official opening of the fair, emphasized the government's commitment to creating an enabling environment for local and foreign enterprises and leveraging technology for job creation. He highlighted that technology is no longer a luxury but a necessity for progress, and IT companies like Huawei technologies that support the future of young people in Kenya and worldwide. Kindiki also noted that over 60% of Kenya's unemployed population are youth, many of whom lack vocational or professional training, driving the mint o crime and hopelessness. He stressed the importance of public-private partnerships in addressing this challenge, citing the Nairobi Expressway as a successful example.

Huawei Technologies Kenya CEO, Gavin Gao, reiterated the company's commitment to empowering people to realize their potential and building a future where young Kenyans leading innovation and digital transformation. He also highlighted the Huawei Management Trainee Program (HMTP), which has already seen 133 graduates become full-time Huawei employees.

The job fair is an integral part of Huawei's broader "LEAP" initiative (Learn, Engage, Accelerate, Progress), which aims to equip over 100,000 Kenyan youth with skills in cloud computing, AI, networking, and cyber-security by 2026.

The President Yu Xiaodong Kenya-China Economic and Trade Association (KCETA), a co-host of the event, heaped a lot of praise on the job fair as a "powerful symbol of the ever-deepening and results-oriented cooperation between China and Kenya. Yu Xiao dong stated that Chinese enterprises have contributed significantly to Kenya's development, from infrastructure projects to investments in people through skills development initiatives. He noted that Chinese companies in Kenya employed over 60,000 local staff in 2022-2023, with a localization rate exceeding 90%.

The Nation/Huawei LEAP Job Fair represents a crucial step in bridging the talent gap in Kenya and empowering its youthful population with the digital skills needed to thrive in the evolving global economy. It also reinforces the strong bilateral ties between Kenya and China, demonstrating a shared vision for economic growth and human resource development.