A new AI-powered Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) centre has been launched in Siaya County, in a move expected to open up digital job opportunities for young people.
The facility, set up through a partnership between Huawei and the Konza Technopolis Development Authority, was unveiled during the Siaya Digital Summit 2026 held at Bondo Township Primary School grounds.
The BPO is based at the Siaya Community Digital Hub and is the first of its kind to be established within a digital hub in Kenya. It uses AI-assisted technology to support customer service work across different platforms, including phone, web and messaging.
So far, 20 young people have been trained to use the system. They are expected to handle customer queries for both local and international clients, something stakeholders say could help create jobs while also introducing rural youth to global digital work.
Officials say the model could be rolled out in other parts of the country if it proves successful.
Speaking during the launch, Ruth Mokaya, a Cloud Solutions Engineer at Huawei, said the project shows how technology can be used to change lives at the community level.
“This initiative reflects the power of technology to transform communities. When young people are equipped with the right skills, they improve their own livelihoods while uplifting entire communities,” she said.
She added, “Our mission is anchored on our global #Tech4All Initiative. Programs like the Jitume Digital Hubs empower communities, especially those in remote and rural areas, with the digital literacy needed to participate meaningfully in the digital economy. This aligns closely with the Government’s vision for a digitally empowered nation under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.”
ICT Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo Gitau, who attended the summit, said the government is focused on making sure digital opportunities reach young people across the country, not just in major towns.
“The success of Kenya’s digital transformation will ultimately be measured by how widely opportunities are shared. Talent exists everywhere, and our responsibility as government is to ensure that young people, regardless of where they live, have access to the infrastructure, skills, and platforms needed to participate in the digital economy,” he said.
Kabogo noted that the partnership brings together infrastructure, training and technology in a way that can directly create jobs.
“This innovative partnership combines the capabilities of a tech leader such as Huawei and Konza’s Data Center with the infrastructure of the Digital Hubs, which have high-speed broadband and devices, to directly create jobs across the country. It also shows how AI can assist and support our youth to deliver online services at a globally competitive level,” he added.
Beyond the BPO launch, Huawei also trained 100 young people in digital skills such as networking, cabling and ICT infrastructure under its HCIA programme. These skills are seen as key in supporting Kenya’s growing digital infrastructure, including the ongoing fibre rollout.
Kabogo said the expansion of fibre connectivity is already opening up opportunities.
“Rolling-out 100,000 km of fibre is creating jobs for our youth. This partnership between the Ministry of ICDE and Huawei taking place at the Siaya Community Digital Hub is exactly what the Hubs are intended to be for – collaborative capacity building at the grassroots to prepare our youth for jobs building, managing and maintaining infrastructure for the digital economy,” he said.
Konza Technopolis CEO John Paul Okwiri said digital hubs are becoming important spaces for young people to learn, connect and build careers in the digital space.
“Digital hubs such as this one play a critical role in nurturing innovation and providing young people with access to infrastructure, mentorship, and collaborative spaces. They are part of a broader ecosystem, including initiatives like Konza Digital Media City, designed to empower creators, developers, and digital professionals with world-class opportunities,” he said.
For some of the beneficiaries, the training is already making a difference. Olivier Ogawa, one of the 20 youths trained on BPO skills, said the experience has opened up new possibilities.
“Through the training, I gained practical skills in digital communication and customer support systems that can be applied in the BPO industry and other online work opportunities. These skills give us the confidence to compete for digital jobs and generate income from wherever we are,” he said.
The Siaya Community Digital Hub is part of the government’s Jitume Digital Hubs programme, which aims to set up centres across the country to help young people access digital skills and opportunities.
Officials say the focus now is to ensure such initiatives translate into real jobs and income for young people, especially in counties.
“Kenya’s digital future will be built not only in our major cities but in counties across the country where young people are ready to innovate, create, and lead,” Kabogo said.
