Kenya Makes History: Four Students Clinch First-Ever Grand Prize at Huawei ICT Global Finals in Shenzhen

Kenyan Youth Shine on Global Tech Stage, Reinforcing Nation’s ICT Leadership

Kenya has achieved a historic milestone in global technology after four university students won the grand prize in the Cloud category at the 2025–2026 Huawei ICT Competition Global Finals held in Shenzhen, China. The competition attracted over 220,000 participants worldwide, making it one of the largest and most competitive ICT talent contests globally.

This victory marks Kenya’s first-ever Grand Prize at the global finals since the competition’s inception a decade ago, signaling the country’s growing strength in digital innovation, cloud computing, and emerging technology talent.

The winning team—Kevin Tuei, Catherine Atieno, Brian Ngugi Kamau, and Salem Kim Lumumba—stood out for their exceptional performance, showcasing the skill and determination of Kenyan youth on the international stage.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi hailed the achievement as a proud moment for the nation, highlighting it as a reflection of the ingenuity and dedication of Kenyan students. He also praised other Kenyan teams for excelling in various categories, including an all-female team—Esther Wairimu, Joan Nkatha, Melane Minayo, and Faith Mosonik—who won the Women in Technology Award, and another team—Denzel Nzinga, Robert Wambua, and Joy Wairimu—who secured First Prize in the Network category.

Mudavadi emphasized that these results demonstrate the growing Kenya–China cooperation in technology, innovation, and skills development, strengthening the country’s position as a leading ICT hub in Africa.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula, congratulated the students, noting that ICT innovation offers young people a unique opportunity to drive economic growth. He highlighted the competition’s role in exposing more than 200,000 participants globally to modern technologies, fostering practical skills, peer learning, and international exposure.

“ICT innovations are a great opportunity for the young generation to drive the country’s economy forward. I commend Huawei Kenya for holding a global competition that enabled participants to interact with cutting-edge technologies and advance their skills,” Wetang’ula said, urging young Kenyans to leverage ICT hubs in their constituencies to sharpen their skills and improve employability.

Kenya’s landmark win not only cements its reputation as a rising force in global technology innovation but also underscores the growing impact of African talent on the international ICT stage.