This archive report was first published on 12 September 2019.
On September 12, 2019, a new partnership was launched to provide digital skills training to rural and remote communities in Kenya. The DigiTruck project, a brainchild of Huawei, was launched in partnership with Belgium nonprofit organisation, Close the Gap, at the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Telecom World in Budapest, Hungary.
As part of Huawei's digital inclusion initiative, Tech4ALL, the DigiTruck is designed to increase awareness and accessibility of digital skills in remote homes through mobile digital classrooms converted from truck containers.
According to Olivier Vanden Eynde, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Close the Gap, the organisation has been bridging the digital divide in developing countries for over 15 years, providing high-quality refurbished ICT-devices to over 5,700 projects with a social impact.
"With the support of Huawei, Close the Gap is honored to coordinate a new DigiTruck-project in Kenya and make a positive impact on the lives of Kenyans," Eynde said.
The DigiTruck is equipped with wireless broadband enabled by Fixed Wireless Access, laptops, and smartphones, enabling internet skills to be taught aboard and incorporating VR content in digital education.
Ritchie Peng, Chief Marketing Officer, Huawei Wireless Solution, said, "Our 20 years of experience connecting rural communities in Africa has shown us that wireless broadband access is significantly changing the way we live and work in the digital world."
A total of 7,000 teachers and community members are expected to be trained on digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and online job opportunities within the first one year of implementation, benefiting tens of thousands of students.
