The TVET team was led by Ms. Joyce M. Mwale, Secretary – Administration, State Department for TVET, while the KNCCI team was led by Ms. Saum Siraj, Manager – Partnerships.

The discussions focused on strengthening collaboration in technical and vocational skills development, industry–TVET linkages, technology transfer, digital skills, training of trainers, innovation and international exchange programmes.

The Chinese delegation shared its experience in practice-oriented vocational education and industry–education integration, including programmes in AI, robotics, smart manufacturing, software technology, big data, new-energy vehicles and other emerging technologies.

The engagement also explored opportunities for skills and knowledge exchange, joint training programmes, industry partnerships and potential longer-term investment and institutional collaboration in Kenya.

KNCCI will continue to facilitate meaningful connections between Government, the private sector and international partners to advance skills development, technology transfer, investment and industry-responsive training.

Building skills. Connecting industry. Creating opportunities.

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The pilot training, held at EKA Hotel Eldoret, brought together over 80 small and medium-sized enterprises from the region, marking a significant step in strengthening digital capacity among Kenyan businesses while fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange with Lithuania.

While officially opening the training, Uasin Gishu KNCCI Chairman Willy Kenei described the region as an emerging digital powerhouse, driven by a strong entrepreneurial culture and increasing adoption of technology among local enterprises. He emphasized that such initiatives position Eldoret and the wider North Rift as key players in Kenya’s digital transformation agenda.

KNCCI Women in Business Chairperson Zainab Mohammed encouraged women and youth to actively participate in the programme, noting that they are critical connectors between traditional enterprises and global export markets. She highlighted that Uasin Gishu’s economy largely anchored on agriculture, including coffee, tea, and flower exports stands to benefit significantly from digital tools that enhance market access and competitiveness.

Participants underwent comprehensive and practical training sessions designed to equip them with immediately applicable digital skills. The morning session focused on essential steps and tools for growing SME businesses, including actionable strategies to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving marketplace. This was followed by an interactive group workshop where participants tackled real business challenges such as digital marketing, customer identification, and market analysis, developing practical, solution-oriented approaches.

In the afternoon, experts from Lithuania led the OSMOS Global Partnerships training session, sharing international best practices and insights. The session covered core digital skills for business growth, drawing lessons from Lithuania’s advanced digital ecosystem. Additionally, participants were trained on cybersecurity essentials, including threat mapping, risk identification, and effective response strategies. A hands-on workshop allowed SMEs to simulate real-world cyber threat scenarios and develop structured response plans, enhancing their resilience in an increasingly digital business environment.

The training also fostered peer learning and collaboration, with SMEs presenting their business challenges and receiving tailored, actionable solutions from fellow participants and facilitators. This practical, problem-solving approach ensured that the knowledge shared was directly relevant to the participants’ day-to-day operations.

The Skills4Women & Youth initiative continues to play a critical role in equipping entrepreneurs particularly women and young people with the tools needed to thrive in the digital economy. Through partnerships such as the one between KNCCI and VCCIC, Kenyan SMEs are gaining exposure to global expertise, strengthening their capacity to innovate, scale, and access international markets.

This pilot training in Eldoret sets the stage for further roll-out of similar programmes across the country, reinforcing KNCCI’s commitment to empowering businesses through skills development, digital transformation, and strategic international partnerships.

Thereafter the participants received certificates of participation from the Chamber Business Academy having successfully completed the course.

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