Tech challenge benefits, empowers more youth with skills

After a month of rigorous training that involved online and offline competitions, the eighth edition of the Africa Tech Challenge came to a close in Kenya on Thursday.

In an awards ceremony attended by Kenya's Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and senior officials from the Chinese embassy, 332 participants from nine African countries in 83 teams were given group and individual awards, including cash prizes, internship and job opportunities as well as scholarships to study in China.

Congratulating the participants, their Chinese trainers and the organizers for the successes, Gachagua called for more cooperation between Kenya and China, especially in upskilling the youth with the latest technological skills.

"As we conclude this season of the Africa Tech Challenge, let us remember that the learning does not stop here. The challenges you have faced and conquered are just steppingstones toward greater accomplishments and the experience obtained from the training will act as an itinerary toward discovering new ideas and opportunities," Gachagua said.

Sponsored by the China Education Association for International Exchange and hosted by Kenya's Ministry of Education, the Africa Tech Challenge is an initiative that started in 2014 in partnership with the Aviation Industry Corporation of China to empower youth by equipping them with technical skills through specialized training programs and competitions.

Zong Wa, deputy secretary-general of the China Education Association for International Exchange, said the program is a continuation of President Xi Jinping's promise to improve Africa's vocational education and training through exchange programs, building and equipping of facilities, as well as pairing them with sister institutions in China.

Victor Ngumbau Mue received the best student award of the competition and won a scholarship to study in China. He thanked the organizers for giving him access to advanced precision tools in engineering, which are not easily available in local tertiary institutions. He also said he appreciated the opportunity to interact with students from other African countries, adding that the cultural mix will help African youth unite and collaborate more in the future.