Mobile Digital Truck Brings Tech Skills to Rural Kenya

Emmy Chelimo, a 63-year-old entrepreneur with over two decades in the hospitality business, wanted to boost her digital skills to grow her enterprise. She was one of 180 individuals who recently completed a month-long digital training program. 

Living in Kabimoi, Baringo County, Chelimo had limited access to technology due to poor electricity, outdated computers, and no internet. When she heard about a digital training opportunity provided by Huawei in collaboration with Kenya’s Ministry of ICT, she eagerly enrolled. 

Arriving at the local training site, Chelimo was surprised to find a stationary truck instead of a typical classroom. Inside the truck—a specially converted 40-foot container called the Digitruck—was a fully equipped digital learning hub with laptops, smartphones, VR headsets, a smart TV, whiteboard, and solar-powered internet access. 

Lead trainer Adams Makau explained that the Digitruck travels to remote areas, where it stays for over a month to train locals in computer basics, digital marketing, online safety, web development, and digital job opportunities. Each day, up to 100 people can be trained in five sessions of 20 students each, lasting two hours per session. 

Since its launch in 2019, the Digitruck program has reached 36 counties and trained more than 6,000 individuals, focusing on recent school leavers and interested community members. 

Chelimo said the training gave her valuable tools for marketing her business on social media, using Excel for financial records, and even exploring investment opportunities like Money Market Funds. 

Another participant, 65-year-old Harun Kipkoech, joined the training to support his plans to launch security and public transport (matatu) businesses. He recognized that digital skills are essential to attract and manage clients. 

Obed Kiplabat, 25, who had no prior computer experience, completed two weeks of training. Now he can type and plans to sell products online through Ajira. He hopes the skills will also help him secure a clerical role with the IEBC. 

For 23-year-old Faith Kosgei, the biggest hurdle in her village was unemployment. The digital program has given her confidence and new pathways to earning a livelihood. 

Information and Communication Technology Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo, who oversaw the graduation ceremony, highlighted the truck’s role in promoting digital inclusion in rural Kenya. He emphasized that the partnership with Huawei aims to ensure all citizens benefit from digital opportunities and are not left behind in Kenya’s move toward a tech-driven future. 

Huawei’s Deputy CEO echoed this mission, stating that equipping young people with digital skills not only improves individual livelihoods but also uplifts entire communities.