To mark International Girls in ICT Day 2025, Huawei, in collaboration with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), hosted a transformative mentorship and upskilling session for 100 female students pursuing STEM disciplines. The event, held under the theme “Bridging the Digital Divide through Leadership and Innovation,” was part of Huawei’s global Women in Tech program and closely aligned with this year’s international focus: “Leadership.” The initiative aimed to inspire and equip young women with both the skills and the confidence to take on leadership roles in the digital space.
Participants received hands-on mentorship from seasoned industry experts and were awarded Huawei Cloud Certification vouchers—an essential step for any aspiring tech professional seeking to gain a competitive edge in the fast-evolving field of cloud computing.
During the event, Prof. Catherine Kunyanga, Associate Dean at the University of Nairobi’s Faculty of Agriculture, emphasized the importance of inclusive participation in STEM. “Strategic partnerships between the public and private sectors are essential in paving the way for greater gender equality and innovation,” she said. Addressing the students directly, she urged them to see technology not just as a career opportunity, but as a powerful platform for solving global challenges. “It’s not just an opportunity—it’s a call to leadership,” she said.
Despite increased efforts across sectors, significant barriers still stand in the way of getting more women and girls into the ICT space. Many girls are not introduced to STEM or digital skills early enough to spark interest or build confidence. Deep-seated gender stereotypes and cultural expectations continue to cast tech careers as “male-dominated,” discouraging young women before they even start. Limited access to relatable mentors and role models makes it harder for girls to envision themselves succeeding in tech. For those in remote or underserved communities, access to digital tools and internet connectivity remains a fundamental challenge. And even for those who make it through the pipeline, unconscious bias in hiring and workplace culture often hinders professional growth.
These are the gaps that Huawei seeks to bridge. Speaking at the event, Ms. Faith Mueni Kimanzi, an IP Solutions Architect at Huawei Kenya, underscored the company’s ongoing commitment to gender inclusion in tech. She highlighted a series of impactful programs designed to nurture talent and provide real-world opportunities.
One such program is Seeds for the Future, which gives students immersive training in emerging technologies while also offering a rich cultural exchange experience. The Huawei ICT Competition, another flagship initiative, challenges students to solve real-world problems using their technical skills. This year, nearly 3,000 students took part in the competition—32% of them girls—with five female students advancing to the Regional Finals in South Africa scheduled for March 2025.
Another critical talent pipeline is the Huawei Management Trainee Program (HMTP), which prepares young professionals for leadership roles in the ICT industry. Alongside this, Huawei works closely with universities through its ICT Academy, Lecturer Training & Certification, and University Job Fairs, ensuring that students—especially young women—are equipped not just with knowledge, but with clear, supported pathways into tech careers.
Importantly, Huawei also targets younger students through early-access initiatives like DigiSchool, a partnership with UNESCO that brings internet connectivity and digital learning to classrooms, and the DigiTruck mobile classroom, which reaches even the most remote communities. These programs are critical to cultivating interest in STEM from a young age and ensuring that digital education is inclusive and far-reaching.
“Increasing women’s participation in tech is about more than representation—it’s about results,” Faith emphasized. “We recognize that diversity is not just a clause—it is a key driver of success. By partnering with universities and corporations, we aim to onboard more women and girls into STEM, ensuring a brighter future for all.”
Through a combination of mentorship, skill-building, and strategic public-private partnerships, Huawei is working not just to include more women in technology—but to empower them to lead it.
