Huawei to help Kenya accelerate ICT development in Kenya

Global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, Huawei Technologies will invest more in the acceleration of ICT development in Kenya in the ‘‘Smart and Sustainable City’ solutions, Huawei Kenya Vice General Manager Mr. Freddie Zhang said on Monday.

Zhang said that smart city solutions will help Kenya build safer and more harmonious urban residential, business and tourism environments to attract investment and increase employment for sustainable economic development.

“Through our investment, we hope that we would complement the government through the ICT ministry to provide all the counties with innovative ICT infrastructure are foundation of building safe smart cities,” said Mr. Zhang.

“Huawei focuses on its core businesses and is committed to empowering Kenya’ digital transformation with continuous strategic investment. We believe long-term focused efforts and perseverance will lead to breakthrough,” he added.

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Zhang was speaking during the inauguration of the 2016 Huawei ICT Roadshow to reiterate the company’s commitment to accelerating ICT development in Kenya which has brought together over 200 industry members to share insights, development trends and global success stories on public safety in cities and discuss ways to reduce crimes using ICT.

The Huawei ICT l Roadshow, a three-day event  aspires showcase the company’s innovations around safe city of ICT in Kenya  to develop smart city projects and invest in the area, while offering an opportunity to explain and evaluate studies concerning innovative, environmentally friendly, solution-oriented and more livable city life.

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Last year, Huawei facilitated the delivery of the safe city project in partnership with the National Police Service and Safaricom at the cost of over 200 million which has resulted in a major decline in the crime rates within the major towns in which the surveillance cameras have been installed. According to an annual report from Kenyan police, crime has decreased by 46 percent in the areas covered by the Safe City solution.

Delivering a statement on the Huawei ICT Roadshow Eunice Kariuki, Director, Partnerships, Innovation and Capacity at ICT Authority said Kenya had talented ICT students, but at the time of recruitment, they are not employment ready.

“Kenya ICT students can get two month internships at Huawei. Currently 52 have benefitted from the program and the best out of it are sponsored to go to China for 2 weeks every year.”

In partnership with ICT Authority, Huawei expects to train at least 100 students in their Seeds for the future programme that begun in 2014. So far, 64 students have successfully benefited from it and over 10,000 globally.

In partnership with ICT Authority, Huawei expects to train at least 100 students  in their Seeds for the future programme that begun in 2014. So far,64 students have successfully benefited from it and over 10,000 globally.