Blog - @iLabAfrica

22May 2025 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

Standard Chartered Launches the Second Cohort of the ‘Women in Cyber’ Mentorship Programme to Close East Africa’s Cybersecurity Skills Gap

Caption: Engineer Dr Julius Butime, Dean School of Computing, Strathmore University and Nivedita Sharma- Board Member Kenya, Standard Chartered Kenya. The initiative will equip early-career women in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania with world-class technical training, mentorship and CPD-recognised learning. 21 May 2025, Nairobi, Kenya – Standard Chartered in partnership with @iLabAfrica - Strathmore University today unveiled the second cohort of the Women in Cyber Mentorship Programme, a hybrid initiative designed to cultivate the next generation of female cybersecurity leaders across East Africa. Delivered through a combination of in-person and virtual sessions, the programme will pair mentees with industry experts, provide hands-on technical and soft skills training, and offer Continuous Professional Development (CPD) credits. Cybersecurity talent remains scarce worldwide: women hold 22 per cent of roles in the profession, while an estimated 2.5 million positions remain unfilled globally. Africa accounts…

29Apr 2025 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

Young Innovators Shine at 4th ATU Innovation Challenge Finale

Research & Innovation

The Innovation Challenge winners pose with the ATU partners. The 4th edition of the ATU Africa Innovation Challenge came to a close on Friday, April 11, 2025, at Strathmore University in Nairobi, with an inspiring awards ceremony honoring ten exceptional young innovators from Tanzania, Nigeria, Malawi, Sierra Leone, and Kenya. Hosted by the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), the event drew high-level leaders from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK), and lead sponsor Huawei Technologies. The ceremony marked the grand finale of a rigorous program designed to empower Africa’s brightest minds in technology and innovation. The winning innovators were selected from a continent-wide pool and awarded an all-expenses-paid AI training program at Strathmore’s @iLabAfrica, one of the region’s premier ICT innovation hubs. The intensive course, led by…

21Apr 2025 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

Training Africa’s Future AI Leaders: Africa Innovation Challenge Finalists Begin Intensive Week-Long Programme

Research & Innovation

@iLabAfrica, Huawei, and the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) have joined forces in a historic collaboration to deliver a week-long intensive training programme for the 10 finalists of the 4th edition of the Africa Innovation Challenge. This flagship initiative, co-facilitated by Huawei and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), underscores a shared commitment to nurturing young African talent and fostering homegrown innovation. Launched in 2020, the Africa Innovation Challenge is an annual competition designed to identify and support young innovators and institutions developing solutions to pressing challenges on the continent. The 4th edition of the Challenge focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI), spotlighting groundbreaking ideas from innovators under age 35 who are leveraging AI to transform their communities and sectors. The initiative continues to serve as a platform to empower youth, promote digital…

09Apr 2025 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

Why Every Business Needs a Data Protection Officer—Even Small Ones

Executive Education

Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) mistakenly believe that data protection is only a concern for large corporations. However, high-profile breaches involving the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and Kenya Commercial Bank have exposed sensitive client data, including names, ID numbers, email addresses, and phone numbers. These incidents underscore a critical truth. No business is immune to cyber threats. Past breaches are a stark reminder of the growing vulnerabilities that all businesses, regardless of size, face in the digital age. In today's digital economy, data is one of a business’s most valuable assets. Growing businesses, whether medium or large-sized, play a vital role in driving economic growth and innovation in Africa, including Kenya. However, with increasing regulations and rising consumer awareness about privacy, protecting this data is no longer optional. Recognizing…

28Mar 2025 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

I-Umeme Project Launches First ever B2V Level Electrical Safety Course at @iLabAfrica

I-UMEME

The first B2V level student to undergo training: Mulinge Vincent Muthama carries out training activities under Dr. Dillmann’s guidance such as testing the absence of voltage on an AVR electrical cabinet. Following the success of the I-UMEME Electrical Safety Program, funded by ADESFA, which trained 265 students in the H0-B1V electrical safety level, the initiative has expanded to introduce a more advanced training level. Nineteen graduates from the H0-B1V course progressed to the newly launched B2V electrical safety program, with plans to train additional cohorts in the future. The B2V program officially commenced on February 19, 2025, adopting a hands-on training approach that allowed participants to interact directly with electrical components and safety gear. The practical sessions were held at iLabAfrica, led by visiting instructor Prof. Nicolas Lardenois from UPHF,…

28Mar 2025 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

Celebrating Electrical Safety Achievements 2023-2025

I-UMEME, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

I-UMEME H0-B1V Graduates, distinguished guests, UPHF, WISEe group, French Embassy, and Strathmore University staff pose for a group photo Themed “The Sky is the Limit!” to signify “High Ideals, High Gains,” the I-UMEME Electrical Safety Program marked a historic milestone on Monday, February 17, 2025, with its inaugural graduation ceremony. Held at Strathmore University’s Microsoft Auditorium, the event celebrated 68 H0-B1V I-UMEME Electrical Safety Programme graduates trained between 2023 and 2025. Distinguished guests in attendance included Prof. Nicolas Lardenois (UPHF), French Embassy representative Alexandre Regina, and Eng. Wilfred Arende from Total Energies. Also present was Dr.-Ing. Lukas Höber, CEO of Sequestra Group, and Dr.-Ing. Baudouin Dillmann, I-UMEME Project lead, who also served as MC. Additionally, @iLabAfrica IoT Lab staff members, industry leaders, trainers, and esteemed dignitaries gathered to celebrate their…

28Mar 2025 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

Fatma Songoro on Mentorship, Representation, and Women in Tech

Cybersecurity, Women in Cyber

Fatma Songoro on Mentorship, Representation, and Women in Tech For Fatma Sangoro, the sky was never the limit. It was just the beginning. With an insatiable drive and a sharp legal mind, she carved a path to become one of East Africa’s leading cybersecurity lawyers. After graduating from the University of Dar es Salaam with aspirations of specializing in corporate and commercial law, Fatma’s career took an unexpected yet rewarding turn when she discovered the intersection of law and technology. This newfound passion led her to enroll in iLabAfrica’s Women in Cyber Programme, a decision that would redefine her professional journey. Now, years into her career, Fatma has established herself as a distinguished legal expert with extensive experience in data protection, artificial intelligence (AI) law, international trade, insolvency, cybersecurity, corporate…

26Mar 2025 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

Sarah Bosibori on Tech, Advocacy, and Breaking Stereotypes

Neurodivergents in Tech

“Don't give up on what interests you the most and work hard to achieve your goals.” This Women’s Month, we celebrate Sarah Bosibori, a trailblazer redefining the intersection of autism and technology. A passionate advocate for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), former Miss Autism Kenya, and a rising force in the tech world, Sarah is proving that neurodivergence is not a limitation but a strength. Currently interning at Kenya Airways’ ICT department, she is charting a path in ethical hacking and coding fields that first captured her imagination through Crime Scene Investigation(CSI) dramas. Inspired by the power of technology to uncover hidden truths, Sarah pursued her passion through @iLabAfrica’s Neurodivergent in Tech Programme, arming herself with the skills to break barriers in an industry that often overlooks diverse talents. Where it…

27Feb 2025 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

How One Man Embraced Lifelong Learning

Software Development

Patrick Muguku embodies the idea of being a lifelong learner and his journey is a testament to the power of curiosity and adaptability. His adventure began with a music degree. Several years later, he ventured into farming before relocating to the USA to become a certified nurse. In 2013, he returned to Kenya to revive his farming and homeschool his children. His thirst for knowledge didn’t stop there when his daughter pursued a Software Development Certificate at @iLabAfrica and he joined her to deepen his understanding. His story is one of relentless learning, reinvention, and the pursuit of knowledge across diverse fields. Patrick Muguku’s lifelong pursuit of knowledge is driven by a deep desire to make a difference in the world. “I went into nursing because I had been a…

27Feb 2025 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

@iLabAfrica and THiNK Forge Partnership to Drive ICT for Development

Research & Innovation

Left to Right: Dr. Joseph Sevilla, Director of @iLabAfrica with Brian Omwenga, Team Lead at THiNK In a significant step toward strengthening bilateral ties and promoting ICT for Development (ICT4D), Tech Innovators Network Tank (THiNK) and @iLabAfrica signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on February 19, 2025. The agreement establishes a foundation for collaboration to drive innovation and technological advancement. It combines expertise in IT, research, and entrepreneurship to empower communities and address challenges in emerging technologies, talent development, and knowledge creation. This partnership will focus on crafting strategic projects and developing products that harness emerging technologies to deliver impactful results. By leveraging the vast network and deep industry insights, this collaboration aims to equip individuals and businesses with the tools needed to thrive in an ever-evolving digital landscape. "Strathmore…