Kenyan President William Ruto made a significant announcement this morning with the launch of the Amazon Web Services (AWS) regional development center. The move is predicted to create new job opportunities for youth in the IT sector, specifically in telecommunications, software development and engineering. The center will serve the entire East African region and offer solutions for customers and partners globally.
“This decision to open a new development center in Kenya is evidence of the trust that AWS has in our people and our economy. I look forward to our continued partnership with AWS as they deepen their commitment to our country,” said President Ruto, emphasizing the importance of the Kenyan technology sector as a source of growth and job creation during times of uncertainty.
Nairobi Governor Johnston Sakaja was also present at the launch and encouraged young people to take advantage of the opportunity. In May 2021 alone, over 700 students received advanced training in programming, networking, security, and relational database skills, through real-world, scenario-based learning, hands-on labs, and coursework. The unemployment rate in Kenya is currently at 12.7 percent, with young people aged 15-34 being the most affected, with a 67 percent unemployment rate. Over 1 million young people enter the labor market every year without any skills to help them get gainful employment.
“This watch here is our tap to eat school feeding application, all our children in Nairobi are wearing this watch. We are using technology to know how many children are eating everywhere, the quantity of food they are taking, the consent and we can tell they have paid through the technology.” Governor Sakaja said
“We are thrilled to be creating new high-tech jobs in Nairobi, which will enable us, our customers, and our partners to tap into the incredible pool of technical talent here in Kenya,” said Uwem Ukpong, Vice President of Global Services at AWS, emphasizing the significance of the project.
AWS and the Information Communication Technology (ICT) Authority announced plans to upskill 10,000 students using AWS Academy in April 2023. This acquisition of advanced, market-relevant skills is expected to tackle underemployment in the country, as more than 50,000 Kenyans graduate from institutions of higher learning every year with very few being gainfully employed in their area of training.
“This investment gives local talent the opportunity to impact global customer solutions and experiences. We are thrilled to be expanding our investment in Kenya, which is a testament to the quality and depth of skills in the region,” said Robin Njiru, Public Sector Lead West, East & Central Africa at AWS.
Kenya has positioned itself as the “Silicon Savannah” in recent years, attracting significant investment in the global tech ecosystem. Nairobi has become a leading global tech hub, from being a pioneer in mobile money to hosting multiple incubation hubs that attract billions of dollars in investment.
Kenyan President William Ruto Launches Amazon Web Services Development Center to Increase IT Sector Employment Opportunities for Youth
Kenyan President William Ruto has announced the opening of the Amazon Web Services (AWS) regional development center, which is expected to generate new employment opportunities for the country’s youth in the telecommunications, software development, and engineering sectors. The center will serve the entire East African region while providing global solutions for customers and partners.
During the launch, President Ruto acknowledged the significance of the Kenyan technology sector as a source of growth and job creation during uncertain times. Nairobi Governor Johnston Sakaja also attended the event and encouraged young people to take advantage of the opportunity. In May 2021, over 700 students received advanced training in programming, networking, security, and relational database skills.
AWS and the Information Communication Technology (ICT) Authority aim to upskill 10,000 students using AWS Academy by April 2023. This will address underemployment in the country, as more than 50,000 Kenyan graduates have very few employment opportunities in their field of study.
The significance of the AWS regional development center was emphasized by Uwem Ukpong, VP of Global Services at AWS, and Robin Njiru, Public Sector Lead West, East & Central Africa at AWS. This investment provides local talent with the opportunity to impact global customer solutions and experiences.
Kenya has attracted significant investment in the global tech ecosystem in recent years, positioning itself as the “Silicon Savannah.” Nairobi has become a leading global tech hub, with multiple incubation hubs attracting billions of dollars in investment.
