On 6th December, KEPSA, through the Digital Explorers Program, hosted a community engagement forum that convened program partners, Digital Explorers participants, and company representatives to share experiences and insights from their internships. The Digital Explorers Program, implemented by KEPSA in strategic partnership with the Lithuanian think-and-do tank OSMOS, is an ICT-focused knowledge and talent exchange initiative between the Baltics and like-minded partner countries, driving the digital revolution in their respective regions.

With a combination of factors such as the Skills gap in the industry, lack of data accessibility, Limited technological infrastructure, and others are the challenges that propelled the data analytics community to adopt new strategies that will ensure marketability and highly skilling. Through the Digital Explorers program, Kenyan ICT talents have exchanged knowledge between the Baltic, Nigerian, and Armenia ICT sectors. This has been a great opportunity for tech talents of different experience levels to accelerate their careers and broaden their professional networks.

The program additionally after the successful vetting of the talents, provided internships in the field of Data Analytics in Kenyan companies, boosted by international data analysis training. These exceptionally talented individuals have undergone comprehensive training and mentorship to cultivate their capabilities as future leaders in the field of data analytics. During the program, these talents were engaged and matched with different companies locally with some being able to get the opportunity to relocate to Lithuania. Some of the companies that have partnered with the program include; AMREF Kenya, Takataka ni Mali, Mogo Kenya, Jambojet.com, Kenya Flower Council, Sarova and Card Group Africa among others.

While giving his opening remarks during the engagement, Dr Ehud Gachugu, Ag. D.CEO and global director Youth and Jobs & Ajira Digital at KEPSA, commended the explorers for their incredible progress, emphasizing that they had demonstrated the immense value young people can bring to businesses. He highlighted that effective partnerships between skilled youth, businesses, and the country are key to addressing societal challenges, reaffirming a commitment to building more opportunities and fostering collaborations. Dr. Ehud stressed the importance of proving their indispensability, not as a payroll cost but as vital business assets.

‘Many companies are looking for advanced and intermediate digital skills, yet we position ourselves as a digital economy hub in the region and a global tech hub. This ambition pushed us to test new models through this partnership, models that help businesses understand how to leverage technology and ICT skills effectively. We began with data analytics as a use case to help companies see the value of talent at scale, and it has been an exciting journey. When we started this program, the focus was primarily on formal jobs, like becoming a developer and landing a 9-to-5 role. But we’ve realized there are multiple pathways: entrepreneurship, remote work, and other opportunities. Developers like you have the skills to explore these options. Said Dr Ehud

Kristijanas Kaminskis, the Program manager at OSMOS encouraged everyone to share perspectives, listen to each other, and learn from these interactions, as they all share a common foundation in the program. He additionally highlighted the role played by OSMOS with their commitment to ensure flow and exchange of ideas and opportunities across different countries. He emphasized the need to create lasting networks that could be valuable in the future. Kristijanas expressed optimism for the future of Digital Explorers, envisioning the program reaching new heights and continuing to evolve.

Another session during the engagement was an opportunity for the Digital Explorers to share some of their experiences during their internships with the various companies. They shared experiences of immense growth and valuable learning emphasizing the importance of adaptability, versatility, and resilience in balancing rigorous academic demands with professional tasks. Interns gained critical technical and soft skills, ranging from data analytics and cybersecurity to customer service and project management. The program has fostered meaningful relationships, providing networks of support among peers and supervisors, which proved essential in overcoming challenges. Many participants highlighted the program's role in opening doors to advanced roles, entrepreneurship, and industry recognition.

Businesses that hosted Digital Explorers interns shared overwhelmingly positive feedback on the program’s impact. Interns contributed significantly by leveraging data analytics to enhance decision-making, streamline operations, and improve customer experiences. Examples include cleaning and analyzing large datasets to optimize passenger trends at Jambojet, automating tedious tasks at Tiffa Research, and visualizing complex HR data at Amref to guide strategic decisions. Interns introduced innovative systems such as cloud storage solutions and data protection policies, demonstrating adaptability and technical expertise. The companies also noted how the interns' fresh perspectives and advanced digital skills not only solved existing challenges but also created new growth opportunities.

KEPSA remains committed to developing and scaling program models that create meaningful job opportunities while fostering a sustainable and thriving business environment in Kenya. By collaborating with private sector partners and the youth, we can unlock innovative solutions, drive economic growth, and build an inclusive future for all. KEPSA is open to forging new partnerships to expand and elevate such initiatives to even greater heights.