Chinese tech giant Huawei has announced plans to host a hackathon in early December, aiming to inspire Kenyan software developers to create innovative digital solutions that could drive the nation’s digital economy.
The event, called the Huawei AppCube Hackathon, will run from Dec. 2-6, and is open to young innovators focused on developing tools to enhance e-commerce, virtual learning, and digital connectivity across Kenya.
Lin Xiaonan, Huawei Kenya’s director of delivery and service, emphasized the company’s dedication to Kenya’s digital transformation, saying, “We believe in technology’s power to enhance lives and stimulate economic growth.”
Held at Huawei’s Nairobi office, the AppCube Hackathon will gather software developers and mentors to work on mobile and cloud-based applications designed to address local needs and improve daily life.
Brian Wahinya, Huawei Kenya’s engineering team lead, noted that the hackathon, intended as an annual event, will allow developers to showcase software solutions with the potential to advance the digital economy.
According to Wahinya, Huawei’s AppCube platform offers an accessible environment for creating applications that boost service delivery and commerce. Currently, over 5,000 developers use the platform to digitize business operations, promoting virtual payments and online education.
Mavine Rakiro, Huawei Kenya’s software innovation lead, added that participants are expected to develop end-to-end, intelligent solutions that will improve efficiency and revenue generation in both public and private sectors.
The hackathon announcement was made during Huawei’s Empowering Digital Transformation Forum in Nairobi, underscoring the company’s efforts to support Kenya’s transition into a digitally empowered economy.