Samsung and JKUAT Partner to Build Kenya’s Next Generation of Digital and AI Talent
Samsung Electronics East Africa and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) have formed a long-term partnership to bridge Kenya’s digital and AI skills gap through the newly launched Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC).
The program aims to strengthen Kenya’s digital talent pipeline and position learners for opportunities in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
A Strategic Investment in Kenya’s Digital Future
Under the agreement, JKUAT will train 80 students every year in Artificial Intelligence, Coding, and Programming. The program offers a world-class curriculum that gives learners practical, job-ready skills and hands-on project experience.
Samsung East Africa President, Richard Lee, underscored the company’s commitment to Kenya’s digital growth.
“As Samsung continues to grow in East Africa, we believe our success is intertwined with the well-being of our communities. The Samsung Innovation Campus is a long-term investment in the brilliant minds that will lead Kenya’s digital economy,” he said.
The initiative is part of Samsung’s global CSR vision, “Together for Tomorrow! Enabling People,” which equips young people with the technological skills needed for emerging careers.
Strengthening Industry–Academia Collaboration
The partnership aligns with JKUAT’s mission to produce graduates who are ready for fast-evolving industry demands.
JKUAT Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi, welcomed the collaboration, noting that it reinforces the university’s focus on innovation-driven research.
“This program aligns perfectly with our mission to produce skilled graduates who can solve real-world problems. The Samsung Innovation Campus gives our students practical access to a world-class AI and Coding curriculum, bridging the gap between academia and industry,” she said.
Samsung experts will also train JKUAT faculty through a Training of Trainers model, ensuring the curriculum is delivered sustainably and adapted to Kenya’s context.
Additionally, the program will tap into JHUB Africa, JKUAT’s innovation ecosystem, where students and researchers turn ideas into market-ready solutions and tech startups.
Championing Inclusion and Equal Access
The program places strong emphasis on inclusive digital literacy. It prioritizes young Kenyans from low-income backgrounds and requires that half of all beneficiaries be women. This approach directly addresses the gender gap in technology and ensures more equitable access to digital skills.
By expanding opportunities for groups often left behind, the initiative aims to empower more young people to participate in Kenya’s growing digital economy.
Driving Kenya’s Digital Skills Agenda Forward
The Samsung–JKUAT partnership comes at a defining moment for Kenya, as the country works to enhance its digital readiness and strengthen its position in the global innovation landscape.
By combining Samsung’s global expertise with JKUAT’s academic leadership, the initiative lays a strong foundation for training a new generation of innovators, researchers, and technology professionals.
