Team Kenya has made history after winning the Grand Prize, the highest honour at the Huawei ICT Competition 2025–2026 Global Finals held in Shenzhen, China.
The achievement marks the first time in the competition’s 10-year history that Kenya has secured the top award, underscoring the country’s rising profile in global technology and digital innovation.
The Huawei ICT Competition is one of the world’s largest student ICT contests, attracting more than 210,000 participants from over 100 countries and regions. The 2025–2026 edition brought together elite student teams who progressed through rigorous national and regional qualifiers before advancing to the global stage.
A total of 131 top-performing teams from more than 40 countries and regions competed in Shenzhen, showcasing expertise in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, networking, computing, and other emerging digital technologies.
Outstanding Performance on the Global Stage
Amid intense international competition, Team Kenya impressed judges with exceptional technical ability, innovation, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, ultimately securing the competition’s highest distinction.
The winning team was composed of:
- Kevin Tuei – Tharaka University
- Catherine Atieno – Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)
- Brian Ngugi Kamau – Mt. Kenya University
- Salem Kim – Machakos University
Their victory reflects the growing strength of Kenya’s ICT talent pool and the increasing competitiveness of the country’s students in global technology arenas.
Boost for Kenya’s Digital Economy and Talent Development
The achievement highlights the importance of collaboration between universities, industry players, and government stakeholders in nurturing digital skills and innovation.
It also reinforces Kenya’s position as an emerging hub for ICT excellence, with young professionals increasingly demonstrating the capacity to compete and succeed at the highest international levels.
As Team Kenya returns home with the prestigious Grand Prize, the win is expected to inspire a new generation of students pursuing careers in technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation.
About the Huawei ICT Competition
The Huawei ICT Competition is an annual global event organised for university and college students and lecturers, designed to enhance ICT knowledge, practical skills, and innovation through international collaboration.
Since its launch in 2015, the competition has expanded significantly, attracting growing participation each year. It is recognised as a UNESCO Global Skills Academy partner flagship programme and is widely regarded as a leading platform for ICT talent development.