Hundreds of youthful participants, government officials, academics and the private sector attended the Skill Up Africa 2025, a forum dedicated to equipping young people with digital skills and unlocking opportunities in the fast-evolving world.

Themed “Youth Empowerment Through AI and Digital Skills, the forum organised by the Nation Media Group  (NMG) brought together students, recent graduates, entrepreneurs and private sector leaders.

Despite academic achievements, many young Kenyans remain jobless. Digital skills powered by AI are increasingly seen as a gateway to self-employment, innovation, and economic independence. By leveraging these tools, young people can transform knowledge into practical, real-world solutions.

NMG Group Managing Director and CEO Geoffrey Odundo said digital skills offer a critical path to economic empowerment.

He noted that Kenya faces a dual challenge – unemployment and the fast-paced evolution of the job market.

“Within this challenge lies a powerful opportunity to equip young people for the future,” Mr Odundo said.

He added that AI is no longer distant but a present reality that is transforming industries and redefining the nature of work.

“We aim to promote digital literacy and technological fluency, recognising that digital skills are no longer optional, but essential,” he said.

Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano urged young people to believe in their potential and use technology to take charge of their future.

“Our economic and social destiny hinges on the inclusion of our youth,” she said, praising the summit’s focus on digital empowerment and commending the multi-sectoral collaboration driving the initiative.

Principal Secretary for the State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Esther Muoria highlighted the progress so far made in reforming Kenya’s technical education system.

“Since 2023, the Competency-Based Education and Training curriculum has been rolled out fully across TVET institutions. From May 2025, we introduced modular training that certifies learners in specific skill areas every three months,” she said.

Dr Muoria reaffirmed the government’s commitment to broadening access to practical, market-aligned education, saying; “The government is dedicated to ensuring young Kenyans can access hands-on skills training. This is evident in the ongoing construction of TVET institutions in every constituency.”

One of the forum’s key highlights was a series of interactive workshops designed to equip participants with practical, market-ready digital skills.

The sessions covered fast-growing tech fields, including Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning as well as software development and coding. Others were digital marketing and SEO strategies, content creation for social media and cybersecurity basics.

The workshops were led by professionals from tech firms, innovation hubs and training institutions, with a strong focus on hands-on, experiential learning.