LG Electronics partnered with Safaricom PLC to power the Safaricom Gaming Conference, an event that convened gamers, developers, innovators, and industry leaders to explore opportunities shaping the future of gaming in Kenya and across the region. Hosted at the Michael Joseph Centre, the conference attracted hundreds of participants, including gamers from across Africa, who engaged in discussions on emerging trends, opportunities, and challenges within the continent’s gaming ecosystem.

As the official electronics partner, LG East Africa showcased its cutting-edge 4K OLED and QNED TVs alongside its Bluetooth-enabled X BOOM speaker. These innovations gave participants the chance to experience first-hand the combination of immersive sound and stunning visuals, highlighting how world-class technology can elevate the gaming experience. The showcase demonstrated LG’s commitment to delivering dynamic and engaging entertainment solutions designed to match the pace of Africa’s fast-evolving digital lifestyle.

Speaking after the event, Jane Kariuki, LG Electronics Regional Head of Marketing, East Africa, emphasized the importance of the partnership: “We are proud to have partnered with Safaricom to make this conference a success. It was inspiring to see the passion and talent of Kenya’s gaming community and discuss the future of gaming in Africa. Our home entertainment products are designed to deliver an unmatched viewing and listening experience that is both dynamic and engaging, and make it easier for gamers to enjoy their entertainment.”

LG’s OLED and QNED TVs continue to set benchmarks for the global gaming community. With extremely low input lag and a 1ms response time, these models ensure instant responsiveness, while advanced features like Dolby Vision HDR at 4K 120Hz minimize motion blur and ghosting for an unparalleled experience. Built with powerful processors and integrated game optimization tools, LG’s displays provide sharp visuals, high brightness levels, and support for VRR, ALLM, and HGiG—making them a perfect fit for the competitive demands of modern gaming.

From Safaricom’s perspective, the collaboration signaled a commitment to empowering young people through innovation and opportunity. Fawzia Ali-Kimanthi, Chief Consumer Business Officer at Safaricom PLC, praised the partnership, noting: “The success of the Safaricom Gaming Conference is proof that Kenya is ready to join the rest of the world. At Safaricom, we believe in powering the youth and building platforms where skills can turn into careers, innovations, and thriving communities. With partners like LG East Africa, we are excited to continue scaling up this space.”

The collaboration between LG Electronics and Safaricom demonstrates the potential of aligning technological innovation with next-generation connectivity. By pairing LG’s Smart AI-powered home entertainment products with Safaricom’s growing 5G infrastructure, the two organizations are not only shaping the future of gaming but also redefining the everyday smart living experience. This partnership underlines Kenya’s growing role in the global gaming ecosystem and its ability to foster innovation and community at scale.

Huawei ICT Academy is strengthening its mission to inspire and empower Kenyan youth with globally competitive digital skills through a nationwide campaign across leading universities and TVET institutions. The latest stop was Strathmore University, following successful activations earlier in the week at PC Kinyanjui Institute and Kenyatta University. With strong student engagement and institutional support, the campaign underscores Huawei’s goal of doubling participation in the 2025/26 ICT Competition to a record 12,000 students.

The Huawei ICT Competition has become a transformative platform since its launch in Kenya in 2018, empowering over 12,000 students with technical mentorship, global exposure, and industry-relevant skills. The competition, part of a global initiative spanning 85 countries and reaching over 950,000 students, enables Kenyan participants to access global-standard training and opportunities to showcase their expertise on national, regional, and international stages. For the 2025/26 edition, registration runs from September to November, with the National Final set for December, the Regional Final in South Africa in February 2026, and the Global Final in China in May 2026.

The campaign officially launched at PC Kinyanjui Institute, where more than 150 students participated at the Jitume Lab. Supported by Mrs. Ruth Muia, Deputy Principal (Administration), the activation marked the start of a mentorship program extending to institutions nationwide. At Kenyatta University, Vice Chancellor Prof. Wanjohi Wa Chege emphasized that the competition is a catalyst for nurturing ICT talent aligned with market needs and global technology trends. He highlighted that beyond winning, students should focus on applying their knowledge to develop practical solutions for pressing societal challenges.

Students have also shared their excitement and ambitions through the program. For example, ICT student Cherrys Otieno from Kenyatta University expressed enthusiasm about opportunities to participate in global finals in South Africa and China while also valuing the internships, certifications, and trainings available to winners. Such testimonies underscore the competition’s role in inspiring students to pursue careers in technology and prepare for leadership in the digital economy.

This year’s competition offers four tracks: Networking, Cloud, Computing, and Innovation, providing participants with a holistic approach to ICT education. The initiative builds on the Memorandum of Understanding signed in March 2025 between Huawei and the State Department for TVET, through which Huawei will establish 150 ICT Academies in Kenya, certify 1,000 students annually at the HCIA level, and train 150 instructors each year. These efforts align with Kenya’s national agenda for skills development and industry readiness.

With continued visits planned across universities such as Africa Nazarene University, JKUAT, Dedan Kimathi University, Kabarak University, and the University of Nairobi, Huawei ICT Academy is ensuring that more students gain access to the program. By combining mentorship, certification, competitions, and direct industry linkages, Huawei reaffirms its commitment to shaping Kenya’s future ICT leaders and equipping young people with the skills to thrive in the digital economy.

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), in partnership with the Kenya Cybersecurity and Forensics Association (KCSFA), recently hosted a Youth Forum on Cybersecurity, creating a critical platform for young people to engage with experts, policymakers, innovators, and industry leaders. The event addressed critical issues such as misinformation, digital safety, and the rapidly expanding role of artificial intelligence in shaping Kenya’s digital landscape. This milestone initiative marks a strong step toward empowering youth voices in shaping policies and strategies around cyber resilience.

A significant outcome of the forum was CA’s commitment to institutionalize the Cybersecurity Youth Forum as an annual event. This means young people will now have a consistent opportunity to participate in national dialogues on digital trust, cyber safety, and AI governance. By offering a structured platform, the CA is ensuring that the next generation of leaders is actively engaged in addressing challenges that will define Kenya’s digital future.

One of the most debated issues during the forum was the delicate balance between freedom of expression and censorship in the fight against harmful online content. While participants acknowledged the dangers posed by misinformation and disinformation—from threatening democracy to inciting panic—they also emphasized the risk of infringing on fundamental rights if regulations lack transparency. The consensus was clear: Kenya must safeguard free expression while simultaneously protecting its citizens from digital harm through well-defined checks and balances.

The discussion also stressed the importance of collaboration with social media platforms. Rather than unilateral takedowns, stakeholders called for joint moderation models involving regulators, fact-checkers, and platforms to ensure fairness and proportionality. This collaborative approach would ensure harmful content is addressed without stifling legitimate debate, reinforcing the idea that protecting users and upholding constitutional freedoms must go hand in hand.

AI emerged as both an opportunity and a challenge. While panelists cautioned against over-reliance on AI-driven tools such as chatbots—which can unintentionally spread inaccuracies—they also highlighted the potential for African-led AI innovation. By building models trained on local datasets, Kenya and the wider continent can address uniquely African challenges, ensuring that AI contributes positively to governance, security, and economic growth.

The forum concluded with a powerful call to collective responsibility. Governments, civil society, organizations, and individuals each play a critical role in fostering a safe and inclusive digital environment. With annual forums now institutionalized, Kenya is taking a decisive step toward building a cyber-resilient society that embraces innovation while protecting the rights and safety of its citizens.