Nairobi – Huawei’s LEAP Job Fair has created over 1,700 job openings for young Kenyans, solidifying China-Kenya cooperation on digital skills and youth employment. The event took place at the University of Nairobi grounds and drew more than 60 companies from both countries, marking a significant move toward bridging Kenya’s digital divide.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki led the opening, calling technology and youth participation key to driving Kenya’s development.
“The future belongs to technology, people, and partnerships,” Kindiki said. “We are committed to a business climate that allows local and foreign firms to thrive and we urge them to prioritize Kenyan talent.”
The job fair, held under the theme “Unlocking Potential, Building Connections,” highlighted Kenya’s drive to position itself as a regional hub for digital skills and innovation. Kindiki underscored the role of public-private collaboration in creating jobs and supporting the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
“Creating employment and solving national challenges in health, infrastructure, and energy requires fresh thinking with youth at the center,” he added.
The event was co-hosted by Huawei Technologies, the Kenya-China Economic and Trade Association (KCETA), and the University of Nairobi. It brought together policy leaders, tech executives, education partners, and job seekers.
KCETA President Yu Xiaodong, also General Manager of China Road and Bridge Corporation (Kenya), described the job fair as a milestone in the growing relationship between Kenya and China.
“This event is a strong symbol of our results-driven cooperation,” Yu said. “Today, 60 enterprises are offering 1,700 job opportunities to Kenyan youth.”
He emphasized the long-term contributions of Chinese companies to Kenya’s infrastructure and workforce. He cited Huawei’s annual training of over 6,000 students and KEDA Ceramics’ creation of more than 50,000 jobs.
KCETA, which includes 104 Chinese firms operating in Kenya, pledged to keep supporting Vision 2030 goals, with a focus on skills development, fair hiring, and deeper ties with training institutions.
Gavin Gao, CEO of Huawei Kenya, reinforced the company’s commitment to youth empowerment.
“We don’t just build networks. We build people,” Gao said. “LEAP is more than a program it’s a path to a future where Kenyan youth drive innovation.”
Huawei’s LEAP program short for Learn, Engage, Accelerate, Progress plans to train 100,000 Kenyan youth in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and networking by 2026. The firm also runs the Huawei Management Trainee Program, which has placed 133 graduates into full-time jobs.
Gao noted that Huawei partners with over 50 universities and technical institutions through its ICT Academies and supports the Digital Superhighway initiative led by the Government of Kenya.
“The future doesn’t just happen. It’s built. Huawei stands with Kenya’s youth on that journey,” he said.
Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan celebrated the enduring ties between the two nations, which span over six decades.
“Chinese companies are not just building roads they are building futures,” Haiyan said. “Today’s job fair reflects our shared investment in people. Over 60,000 Kenyans are currently employed by Chinese enterprises.”
She praised the job fair as proof of meaningful industrial and human resource collaboration.
“I hope each job seeker here finds a path that unlocks their potential and drives Kenya forward,” she added.
The LEAP Job Fair marked a new chapter in Kenya’s pursuit of a tech-driven economy, with emphasis on creating local opportunities and closing the skills gap for the digital age.
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