High-Impact Training Initiative Delivers Immediate Results

NAIROBI, KENYA – In a significant development for Kenya's technology sector, 98% of the first graduating class from the Safaricom Connect Academy have secured employment, Safaricom PLC announced on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. The cohort of 48 graduates has been absorbed by the telecommunications giant and its partner organizations following an intensive three-month training program focused on fibre optic and digital infrastructure deployment. This achievement marks a tangible step towards bridging the persistent digital skills gap that experts say hampers Kenya's economic growth.

A Strategic Partnership to Address a National Challenge

The Connect Academy is a strategic partnership between Safaricom and Kenya's ICT Authority, launched during the Connected Africa Summit in April 2024. The initiative was designed to create a pipeline of skilled technicians capable of supporting the rapid expansion of Kenya's digital infrastructure, a key pillar of the nation's Vision 2030 economic blueprint. The government has an ambitious plan to deploy 100,000 kilometers of fibre optic cable nationwide, connecting schools, government offices, and healthcare facilities. However, a shortage of qualified technical personnel has been a major bottleneck. According to a November 2025 report by BrighterMonday Kenya, 76% of Kenyan companies consider digital and ICT skills essential, yet many report a significant mismatch between the skills of graduates and market needs.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Nairobi, Safaricom CEO Dr. Peter Ndegwa emphasized the program's role in building a future-ready workforce. “The Connect Academy represents our commitment to building Kenya's digital future by investing in technical, future-ready skills,” he stated on Tuesday. The inaugural cohort was selected from a diverse pool, including existing Safaricom technicians and community applicants, to ensure inclusive upskilling.

Tackling Youth Unemployment with Targeted Skills

The academy's high job placement rate is particularly noteworthy given Kenya's struggle with youth unemployment. Recent data from the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) indicates that the youth unemployment rate stands at a staggering 67%, despite young people aged 15-34 comprising 35% of the population. This challenge is compounded by what the International Labour Organization (ILO) identifies as a structural skills gap, where traditional education systems fail to keep pace with the demands of the digital economy. The Connect Academy's curriculum was specifically tailored to address this, offering hands-on training in fibre installation, network troubleshooting, project documentation, and customer service. Zilpher Owiti, the acting CEO of the ICT Authority, praised the initiative's alignment with national goals. “By ensuring alignment of training with industry needs, the Academy is helping to create a continuous pipeline of skilled technicians who will drive Kenya's digital infrastructure expansion,” Owiti said on Tuesday.

Future Outlook and Regional Implications

The success of the first cohort has set a strong precedent. Safaricom and the ICT Authority confirmed that the second cohort is scheduled to begin training in January 2026, with plans to scale the program. The long-term ambition, announced at the academy's launch, is to empower 10,000 technicians over the next five years, partly through partnerships with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions. This model of industry-led, demand-driven training could serve as a blueprint for other East African nations facing similar challenges of a youth bulge and a digitalizing economy. As Kenya solidifies its position as a regional tech hub, the availability of a highly skilled technical workforce is a critical competitive advantage. The ability to rapidly deploy and maintain digital infrastructure is essential for attracting foreign investment and enabling the growth of local digital enterprises, from fintech to e-commerce. The Connect Academy, while currently a national initiative, addresses a challenge with clear regional resonance, demonstrating a viable strategy for developing the human capital required to power the 21st-century economy.