Report Finds That Huawei DigiTruck Training Helps Boost Income, Employment And Entrepreneurship

The Kenyan government and Huawei Kenya today launched an independent evaluation report of digital skills training provided by the DigiTruck program.

Launched in 2019 in Kenya under Huawei’s TECH4ALL initiative, the DigiTruck is a mobile, solar-powered classroom equipped with Internet connectivity, laptops, and smartphones. Converted from a used shipping container mounted on the back of a truck, the DigiTruck travels to remote communities in Kenya, providing free training in digital skills to youth, empowering them to participate more fully in the digital economy.

The report was launched at the Connected Africa Summit by Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, Eliud Owalo, and Huawei Kenya Deputy CEO Steven Zhang. During the opening of the Summit, H.E. President Ruto himself highlighted the findings of the report and praised the program: “This is the impact of a simple intervention in terms of empowering the youth, and it affirms the promise of our collaborative approach and the power of partnerships in achieving ambitious goals.”

“To facilitate optimal uptake of digital infrastructure it is imperative that we have commensurate level of digital skilling; that is why this DigiTruck program comes in handy because through this program we are able to reach very remote areas that ordinarily we would not access for purposes of digital skilling” said Mr. Eliud Owalo, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Information, Communication & The Digital Economy. He continued: “So we want to thank Huawei for this innovative digital skilling program and we want to assure you that we will continue working with you in the program of digital skilling as we roll out our digital transformation agenda.”

Each course lasts 40 hours, and provides training in digital skills and soft skills like starting an online business, writing resumes, and applying for jobs online. A survey 800 of the 4,000+ youth trained over four years revealed significant positive tangible outcomes for beneficiaries. Some of the key findings are:

·       93% of respondents reported enhanced work capabilities.

·       79% stated that they passed on their digital skills to others in their communities, fostering a culture of empowerment.

·       Respondents reported a 6% decline in the unemployment rate and a 7% decline in self-employment.

·       35% of respondents attribute an income boost due to starting a business with their new digital skills.

“From its inception, the aim of the DigiTruck was to reach remote areas; to reach youth who normally don’t have many opportunities; and to reach all across the country,” said Steven Zhang, Deputy CEO of Huawei Kenya. “The aim of this DigiTruck is not only to provide digital skills, but also to spread the message about the importance of digital skills and to rally others to our cause.”

As Kenya embraces the digital age, the need for digital skills has evolved from a luxury to a necessity.

The DigiTruck initiative, a collaborative effort between The Ministry of Information, Communication & the Digital Economy, Huawei and other partners, has been at the forefront of empowering Kenyan youth with these essential skills.

Attached photos of the launch with CS Owalo along with ICT Ministers from Lesotho, Sahrawi and South Sudan; PS ICT John Tanui along with PSs from Malawi, Sahrawi, South Sudan and Zimbabwe; Chair of the Communications Authority, CEO of the ICT Authority. Accompanying the government officials were Huawei Deputy CEO for Public Affairs, Steven Zhang, MD for Enterprise Business Kevin Wen, Ian Korir, the Huawei DigiTruck Project Manager and youth who have been trained on the DigiTruck.