Africa Tech Challenge (ATC) Season 10, jointly hosted by AVIC Innovation Holding Limited (AVIC INNO), the Ministry of Education of Kenya and the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE), officially kickstarts at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK).
The event unites 142 teams and 568participants from 12 African countries, including Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and host nation Kenya.
This season features contests in CNC machining, CAD and mechanical drawing, and mobile app development. Under its long-standing theme, “Dream and Invent Your Future, ” ATC continues to inspire young people to turn their ideas into reality through technical excellence.
Prior to competition, participants will complete around 5 weeks of intensive training delivered by Chinese vocational instructors using advanced software and equipment. Upon completing the program, they will receive certificates of completion. Winning teams will be awarded training opportunities in China for the WorldSkills Competition, while outstanding individuals will receive full scholarships for further studies in China.
ATC Season 10 is guided by the threefold vision of Aspiration, Transformation, and Collaboration. Aspiration represents the commitment to equipping African youth with practical skills and inspiring them to pursue their dreams. Transformation reflects the goal of cultivating talent to support industrial development across Africa, empowering youth to grow from students into innovators. Collaboration highlights the long-term vision of China-Africa cooperation in advancing industrialisation across the continent. To enhance participants ’ skills and broaden their perspectives, past seasons of ATC have included factory visits, cultural experiences, and youth exchange activities. Similar initiatives are planned for this season.
Speaking during the official opening Ceremony, the Director, TVET-Projects and Partnership, State Department for Technical Vocational Education and Training, Ministry of Education, Mr. John K. Tuwei, noted that Kenya is celebrating the output of TVET training across the country over the last 15 years. The government has been keen on ensuring that youths are trained to be empowered, enabling them to access jobs and participate in economic development. This collaboration with the Chinese government in the development of the Kenyan TVET sector is key in terms of the policy direction and of improving the TVET sector across the country.
Mr. Tuwei also added that the biggest impact of this is a showcase of the innovations which can be applied to spur economic growth and industrialisation, not only in Kenya, but across Africa, as some of the candidate institutions can produce spare parts, which can be supplied to manufacturing companies. As the long-term vision behind the Africa Tech Challenge is skilling the students and, afterwards, encouraging innovation. Therefore, creating an entrepreneurial culture to alleviate poverty on the continent.
According to David Onyango, a student at the Technical University of Kenya, pursuing a Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering Technology, what motivated him to participate in this competition is to learn learning new things from fellow students across Africa and also from the organisers. His sentiments were echoed by Mercy Njoki, from Team Kenya who noted that they are not only taught the technical skills but also basic life skills and networking.
Andrea Lentaaya, a student at the Technical University of Kenya, made a clarion call to the government to focus on industrialisation and create a conducive environment for manufacturing to curb the high cases of unemployment .
As a flagship initiative under the “Future of Africa – China Africa TVET Cooperation Program, ” ATC has empowered over a thousand young technicians across the continent since its launch in 2014. Continuing its digital push, ATC facilitates free access to quality vocational training materials via the AVIC Innovation Vocational Education Online Platform, supporting Africa ’ s journey toward sustainable, demand driven vocational education systems.