NAIROBI, Kenya — Deputy President Kithure Kindiki announced on Tuesday that the government is actively strengthening collaborations with global technology companies to generate more job opportunities for Kenyan youth.
Speaking at the opening of the Huawei LEAP Job Fair 2025 at the University of Nairobi, the DP emphasized technology’s crucial role in solving global challenges this century, underscoring the urgent need to leverage its potential.
“We have to empower young people to realise their present and future dreams. Technology must be at the heart of finding solutions to job creation and opportunities. IT companies like Huawei hold the future of young people in Kenya and around the world,” he stated.
Prof. Kindiki also highlighted Africa’s pivotal position in driving technological advancements, noting that the continent’s youthful average age is a significant asset for fostering technological growth.
“Africa is at the centre of the future of the world because Africa is the youngest continent. The average age of the population in Africa is 19 years. Africa lies at the square of influencing the future of the world,” he remarked.
The Deputy President detailed Kenya’s multi-faceted approach to addressing youth unemployment, including facilitating access to digital jobs and providing training opportunities to equip young people with new digital skills through vocational programs and other initiatives.
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“The most acute challenge young people face in Kenya and many parts of the world is the inability to access employment, jobs and income opportunities. This is what drives young people into crime and drugs and a state of hopelessness and despair. It is not unique to Kenya and it has our immediate attention,” he explained.
To counter these challenges, the DP called for a robust strengthening of partnerships between the public and private sectors, citing the immense benefits this collaboration brings to the populace. He noted that the increasing convergence of the public and private spheres is an irreversible trend.
“Governments have come to accept the reality that going forward as we solve our national problems, we are not adequate to provide solutions. We need the private sector,” the DP asserted.
He concluded by emphasizing that “Closer ties between the public and private sector can drive Kenya’s progress faster and we can reach our desired destination earlier and with less difficulties.”