By Steve El Sabai
The University of Nairobi grounds buzzed with promise and ambition on Tuesday, 8th July 2025, as over 60 Chinese and Kenyan enterprises converged for the Huawei LEAP Job Fair, a landmark event held under the theme Unlocking Potential, Building Connections. The initiative brought together government officials, corporate leaders, and academia in a unified mission to catalyze youth employment, digital innovation, and future-ready skills.
Jointly hosted by the Kenya-China Economic and Trade Association (KCETA) and the University of Nairobi, the fair offered more than 1,700 job opportunities to Kenyan youth. It underscored the strength of Sino-Kenyan cooperation in advancing inclusive economic development and nurturing a digitally competent workforce.
Mr Yu Xiaodong, President of KCETA and General Manager of China Road and Bridge Corporation Kenya, lauded the initiative as a living expression of the enduring partnership between Kenya and China. “This fair is a bold statement of our results oriented collaboration. Today, over 60 enterprises are opening doors for more than 1,700 young Kenyans,” he said.
He spotlighted the enduring impact of Chinese enterprises in Kenya’s development landscape, from world class infrastructure such as the Standard Gauge Railway and Nairobi Expressway to massive investments in local human capital. “Huawei trains approximately 6,000 students annually, while KEDA Ceramics has generated more than 50,000 direct and indirect jobs,” Mr Yu noted.
KCETA, which now comprises 104 member companies, reiterated its commitment to supporting Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda. Mr Yu pledged deeper collaboration with local training institutions, skills-driven recruitment, and continued upskilling of Kenyan youth.
Nation Media Group CEO Geoffrey Odundo echoed the importance of media in driving transformation through visibility and partnerships. “At Nation Media Group, we believe in the power of information to change lives. Today, we turn that belief into action. By co-hosting this job fair, we not only amplify opportunities but actively contribute to Kenya’s youth empowerment and digital evolution,” he stated.
Deputy President Hon Professor Kithure Kindiki, who presided over the event, emphasized the pivotal role of technology, youth, and cross-sector collaboration in shaping resilient economies. “Our government is dedicated to building an enabling business environment and positioning Kenya as Africa’s leading innovation and talent hub. We encourage all enterprises to put Kenyan youth at the heart of their recruitment and growth strategies,” he said.
He commended the private sector for aligning its investments with national development goals and embracing youth inclusion as a pillar of economic growth.
Huawei Technologies Kenya CEO Gavin Gao reaffirmed the company’s long-term investment in Kenya’s digital journey through the LEAP initiative, which stands for Learn, Engage, Accelerate, and Progress. “This year’s theme aligns with our philosophy. Huawei does more than build infrastructure. We build people,” said Gao.
Huawei’s ambition is to train over 100,000 Kenyan youth in digital fields such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and advanced networking by 2026. He also announced the success of the Huawei Management Trainee Program, which has equipped more than 200 graduates with practical skills, 133 of whom are now employed full time by Huawei.
“LEAP is not simply a program. It is a movement that reflects our commitment to youth-led innovation and digital transformation,” Gao remarked.
Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Her Excellency Guo Haiyan, hailed the longstanding Kenya-China relationship, now in its sixth decade, as one deeply rooted in people-centered development. “Chinese enterprises are not just building roads and networks. They are building careers, skills, and brighter futures for thousands of Kenyan youth,” she said. She applauded their efforts, noting that more than 60,000 Kenyans are currently employed across Chinese companies, many of which also support education, healthcare, and environmental initiatives.
“Today’s job fair is a clear demonstration of our integrated industrial and human capital partnership. I hope every young job seeker here finds a path toward personal fulfillment and national development,” she concluded.
As the Huawei LEAP Job Fair came to a close, one message rang clear. Kenya’s youth are not waiting for the future to happen. They are being equipped to shape it, lead it, and thrive in it
