The Sub-Sahara African finals of the Huawei Global ICT Competition, under the
theme of “Connection, Glory, Future”, kicked off on 10 September with an online
opening ceremony. It is believed to be the biggest event of its kind in Africa covering
14 countries and attracting over 50,000 students.
Globally the Huawei ICT Competition 2019-2020 has covered over 70 countries
worldwide, with 150 000 contestants from more than 2,000 universities and
colleges.
Launched in the region just five years ago, the Huawei ICT Competition has
developed into the largest ICT skills competition in Africa.
During the opening ceremony attended by industry partners, UNESCO and students,
Huawei Southern Africa VP, Liao Yong highlighted the significance of connectivity in
the era of social distancing. “The digital divide is actually widening under the new
normal caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. As people work and study more online,
the digitally disadvantaged people are hit harder，“Liao said.
In a recent UNESCO webinar, digital infrastructure was identified among the most
prominent challenges facing higher education in Africa.
“Holding the online version of ICT competition during the pandemic has a unique
value, it shows that Huawei, as a pioneer in building African digital infrastructure,
also takes its talent strategy very seriously. It encompasses three aspects; digital
upskilling ICT professionals, encouraging and enabling ICT students, and promote ICT
literacy among ordinary people，”Liao added.
Huawei has invested heavily in preparation for this event, holding 300 campus
roadshows, in 14 Sub-Sahara African countries, with a total of 50,000 students
participating. The competition-related training helped over 300 students receive job
offers.
Also speaking during the opening ceremony, Ydo Yao, acting Director of UNESCO
International Bureau of Education, applauded Huawei for playing an exemplary role
to support initiatives that create, innovate and deliver ICT skills for the continent.
In Africa, the partnership between UNESCO and Huawei has been fruitful with many
successful projects, such as DigiTruck and Huawei ICT Academy under the auspices of
Huawei’s digital inclusion initiative TECH4ALL.
With a series of talent ecosystem campaigns in Sub Saharan Africa, including the ICT
competition, Huawei hopes to up-skill more than 700,000 ICT professionals by 2023.
The aim is to bridge the ICT talent gap, advance the digital transformation of
industries, and bring digital to every person, home and organization for a fully
connected, intelligent world.
