18 October 2019

Huawei says a total of 7,000 teachers and community members are expected to be trained within the first year of implementation – photo: Huawei

 

Chinese tech giant Huawei has partnered with Belgium non-profit organisation Close the Gap to provide digital skills training to rural and remote communities in Kenya.

Unveiled during ITU Telecom World 2019, Huawei’s DigiTruck is a mobile digital classroom and Huawei’s latest effort at driving its digital inclusion initiative Tech4ALL. 

A statement issued by Huawei referred to the World Bank’s latest report which points out that southern Africa’s demand for digital skills in 2030 is as high as 230 million people, which is in stark contrast to the current and prevailing lack of digital skills in the continent as a whole. 

“In Kenya, for example, despite being the ICT hub in Africa, internet users account for less than 50% of the total population, not only because more than 75% of the population live in remote areas, lacking stable power supply, but also because many people do not realise the real value of digital skills, who have never been exposed to smartphones or used the internet,” the company said. 

Huawei said its DigiTruck is designed to deliver digital skills to remote homes through mobile digital classrooms converted from truck containers.

It is equipped with wireless broadband enabled by fixed wireless access, laptops and smart phones enabling internet skills to be taught aboard and incorporating VR content in digital education.

It also has solar panels and batteries capable of powering it, so it can reach remote rural villages without electricity. 

“For over 15 years, Close the Gap has been bridging the digital divide in developing countries by providing high quality refurbished ICT-devices to more than 5700 projects with a social impact,” said Olivier Vanden Eynde, founder and chief executive officer of Close the Gap.

“With the different DigiTrucks we have been able to reach even the most isolated communities that have little or no access to ICT, also bring quality training and education to these areas. With the support of Huawei, Close the Gap is honoured to coordinate a new DigiTruck-project in Kenya and make a positive impact on the lives of Kenyans.” 

According to Huawei, a total of 7,000 teachers and community members are expected to be trained on digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and online job opportunities within the first year of implementation.