Two hundred and fifty young people in Dagoretti North recently graduated from Huawei’s DigiTruck Digital Skills Programme, an intensive training initiative aimed at boosting employability and innovation among youth.

• The graduation ceremony was presided over by Member of Parliament for Dagoretti North, Hon. Beatrice Elachi.
• The DigiTruck programme, implemented by Huawei Technologies, delivers training directly within communities to form four leavers and young jobseekers.
• According to Yuta Leng, Director of Public Affairs at Huawei Technologies Kenya, the program aims to provide real outcomes beyond the classroom through its solar-powered mobile classroom.

Qualcomm has successfully concluded its third annual Make in Africa (QMIA) Startup Mentorship Program with the virtual Make in Africa Finale 2025, reinforcing its commitment to fostering innovation in Africa.

• The program, part of the broader Qualcomm Africa Innovation Platform, supports early-stage technology startups leveraging advanced technologies like AI, 4G/5G, and IoT.
• Farmer Lifeline (Kenya), which uses solar-powered devices to detect pests and diseases, was named the winner of the 2025 Wireless Reach Social Impact Fund, receiving dedicated funding and technical support.
• The 2025 cohort included 10 groundbreaking startups from countries such as Nigeria, Tunisia, Benin, Senegal, and Kenya, all receiving stipends to accelerate their growth.
• Qualcomm has already launched the application process for the fourth year of the program, the 2026 Qualcomm Make in Africa cohort.

Rwanda-based fintech startup Kayko has successfully raised $1.2 million in a seed funding round. This capital infusion will empower Kayko to advance its mission of enhancing access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through data-driven insights.

• Kayko secured $1.2 million in seed funding to expand its services.
• The funding round was supported by investors including Burrow Capital, the Luxembourg Development Agency, Hanga Ignite by BRD, and develoPPP Ventures.
• The platform currently serves over 8,500 SMEs across Rwanda, offering tools for bookkeeping, inventory management, and tax compliance to formalize businesses that have historically operated outside traditional financial systems.

The United Arab Emirates' recently announced US$1 billion AI for Development initiative could significantly aid Kenya's National AI Strategy, providing crucial funding and expertise for its implementation.

• Kenya launched its National AI Strategy 2025–2030 in March, requiring an estimated KSh 152 billion (approximately US$1.19 billion) for full implementation.
• The UAE's AI for Development initiative, unveiled by H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, is dedicated to African countries and will be implemented by the Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX) in cooperation with the UAE Foreign Aid Agency.
• The fund aims to support economic and social development by developing digital infrastructure, enhancing government services, and improving productivity in sectors like education, agriculture, and infrastructure, closely mirroring Kenya's stated priorities.