NAIROBI,
Kenya, April 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kenyan
government and Huawei Kenya today launched an independent
evaluation report of digital skills training provided by 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.
Opening the Summit, H.E. President Ruto 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," said H.E. William
Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya.
One of the key benefits of the DigiTruck program is its
mobility, enabling training to be provided in hard-to-reach
communities.
"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 Eliud
Owalo, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Information,
Communication & The Digital Economy, "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
résumés, 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.
The executive summary of the report is available for download
here.
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SOURCE Huawei