Africa Tech Challenge Season 10 Concludes with Promising Innovations
NAIROBI, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) — Victor Njunye, a 23-year-old finalist in the Africa Tech Challenge (ATC) Season 10, initially approached the competition with feelings of uncertainty about winning. However, this Mechanical Engineering student from the Kenya University of Technology demonstrated remarkable determination, ultimately triumphing over hundreds of competitors during the month-long event.
During the festive closing ceremony held in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, Njunye received an enthusiastic reception from his peers as he made his way to the podium to accept his award. “I was a little speechless as I did not expect this victory. The technical challenge was challenging, both theoretically and practically, but together we persevered,” he expressed.
This year marked Njunye’s inaugural participation in the ATC, a program initiated in 2014 aimed at enhancing the technical and vocational skills of young Africans in preparation for future job markets. Season 10, which ran from July 28 to August 29, attracted 142 teams and 568 participants from 12 African countries, who competed in areas like mobile application development, mechanical engineering, and computer numerical control (CNC) turning.
Njunye, who specializes in manufacturing, emphasized the skills he acquired in computer-aided design, as well as valuable lessons in teamwork and cross-border networking. Alongside five other winners from the individual category, Njunye will receive a full scholarship to pursue further studies in China, enhancing his mechanical engineering expertise.
Similarly, 23-year-old Ghanaian contestant Nseno Alfred expressed gratitude for being selected as one of the six individual category winners. “From day one, the training focused on precision, expanding my horizons, and giving me essential experience in the job market,” Nseno noted. He further reinforced his proficiency in CNC lathes, machine programming, and drafting and aims to acquire skills in China’s advanced machinery to contribute to Ghana’s industrial development.
The ATC closing ceremony drew notable attendance from government officials, diplomats, and industry leaders. Co-hosted by AVIC Innovation Holding Limited, the Kenyan Ministry of Education, and the China International Exchange and Education Association, the event highlighted the collaboration between various sectors driving African vocational training.
Kenya’s Education Minister Julius Ogunba lauded the program for providing African youth with essential tools to navigate the digital age. He remarked, “Through ATC, we are ensuring that Africa’s youth become the driving forces behind the Fourth Industrial Revolution, breaking barriers and striving for excellence.” He also emphasized alignment with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which seeks to cultivate a globally competitive workforce.
The ceremony also revealed the ATC 10th Anniversary Overseas Corporate Social Responsibility Report, underscoring the program’s role in fostering cooperation between China and Africa in vocational training. Mr. Lee Chingtan, Executive Vice President of AVIC, articulated the company’s commitment to enhancing technical skills among African youth in alignment with its corporate social responsibility ethos. As part of their initiatives, AVIC has developed and improved 189 vocational training centers across Africa, training over 20,000 teachers and students annually. Since its inception, ATC has successfully supported 1,933 participants from 14 African countries, awarded cash prizes to 249 trainees, enabled 30 individuals to study abroad in China, and facilitated 25 internships and job placements at AVIC.
Chinese Embassy Chief Minister Zhang Zhizhong underscored the significance of vocational and technical training in China-Africa relations. He reiterated that a skilled workforce is vital for unleashing the continent’s industrial potential and pledged continuous collaboration to fortify technical and vocational education systems across Africa.
