Africa Tech Challenge: Celebrating A Decade of Skills, Innovation, and Youth Empowerment

By Monica MUEMA

The Africa Tech Challenge (ATC) Season 10 Awards Ceremony was successfully held in Nairobi, marking a decade of ATC’s impact in empowering Africa’s youth through technical skills training, competition, and cultural exchange.

The ceremony brought together innovators, government leaders, industry stakeholders, and students from across the continent for a celebration of skills, innovation, and industrial transformation.

The event was graced by Hon. Julius Migosi Ogamba, Cabinet Secretary for Education, Kenya, and Dr. Esther Thaara Muoria, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Vocational and Technical Training under the Ministry of Education.

Also in attendance were Mr. Zhang Zhizhong, Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Kenya, Ambassador Lynette Mwende Ndile, Deputy Ambassador of Kenya to China, senior representatives from the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE), and executives of AVIC Innovation Holding Limited (AVIC INNO) including Mr. Li Qingtang, Executive Vice President of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and Mr. Zhong Sijun, Executive Vice President of AVIC INNO.

Celebrating a Decade of Skills and Innovation

Season 10 was the most ambitious edition yet, drawing 14 teams from 12 African countries—Kenya, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Over five weeks of training and competition at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK), participants demonstrated technical excellence, teamwork, and innovation under the inspiring theme “Dream and Invent Your Future.”

In addition to on-site competitions in CNC Turning, Mechanical Engineering CAD, and Mobile Application Development, two online contests were held simultaneously, expanding access and inclusivity across Africa.

Recognition of Excellence

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of awards to the top performers.
1st Place Winners – Study in China Awards
• Mobile Applications Development: Abdallah Salah Abdallah Mohammed (Assiut
International Technological University / Egyptian-German College for Technology) –
Egypt
• Mechanical Engineering CAD: Victor Njung’e Kamau (Technical University of Kenya) –
Kenya
• CNC Turning: Nusenu Alfred (Kumasi Technical University) – Ghana
These champions earned the prestigious opportunity to participate in WorldSkills
training programs in China, as well as full scholarships for further study, reinforcing
ATC’s role in shaping Africa’s future industrial leaders.

Voices of Leadership
Speaking at the ceremony, Hon. Julius Migosi Ogamba, Cabinet Secretary for Education, Kenya, praised ATC’s role in bridging Africa’s skills gap:

“Africa Tech Challenge is more than a competition. It is a platform that prepares our
young people for the future of work by equipping them with practical skills and global
exposure. Through ATC, we are building a generation that can transform Africa’s
industries.”

Mr. Zhang Zhizhong, Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of
China in Kenya, reaffirmed China’s commitment to strengthening education and innovation partnerships across Africa:

“ATC is a symbol of China–Africa friendship. It empowers African youth, builds lasting
people-to-people connections, and contributes to industrial development. China will
continue to support initiatives like ATC that create opportunities and transform lives.”

A Platform for the Future

Since its inception in 2014, ATC has grown into one of Africa’s premier technical training and youth empowerment platforms. Over ten seasons, thousands of participants have benefited from training, internships, and scholarships, with many securing placements in leading companies or establishing their own enterprises.

The ATC initiative, co-hosted by AVIC INNO, the Ministry of Education of Kenya, and CEAIE, continues to drive its integrated model of “training, competition, study in China”—a pipeline that equips young Africans with globally recognized skills, nurtures innovation, and fosters cross-cultural collaboration.

Looking Ahead

As ATC celebrates its 10th anniversary, organizers emphasized its forward-looking mission: to expand technical training, deepen cross-border collaboration, and embrace new technologies that will define Africa’s role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The ATC Season 10 Awards Ceremony not only concluded a competition but reaffirmed
a movement—a movement that empowers Africa’s youth to dream, invent, and lead
the future.