Huawei Technologies Kenya and the National Computer and Cybercrime Coordination Committee on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at creating a framework for collaboration to improve Kenya's cyberspace including cybercrime prevention and other cybersecurity initiatives.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Raymond Omollo, the principal secretary in the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration, said Huawei being a global leader brings valuable insights and expertise to enhance their ability to combat cyber threats.

"Their ongoing support — through regular capacity building, policy development, and sharing of best practices — has been instrumental. This MoU will deepen our cooperation, particularly in emerging technologies, and consolidate the progress made so far," he said.

"Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility and I am pleased that we are finally formalizing this partnership with Huawei."

Omollo said cybersecurity remains a critical challenge in this new digital era.

He said disruptions to digital infrastructure or services pose significant threats, not only to individual sectors like telecommunications and finance but also to critical areas such as power, transport, and healthcare.

Omollo said Kenya has already faced instances of critical service disruptions including on the government's e-citizen platform, disruptions to electricity supply and even disruptions to airport systems.

Steven Zhang, the deputy CEO of Huawei Technologies Kenya, said his organization has collaborated closely with the National Computer and Cybercrime Coordination Committee since its establishment.

"Huawei believes strongly in partnership and collaboration, whether with government, private sector or non-governmental organizations. We believe that only if we work together can we help build capacity, strengthen resilience, and protect digital infrastructure," he said.

Zhang said Huawei is willing to share information and best practices. Noting that the field is constantly changing, he said only through close cooperation can they as an industry also change to keep up-to-date with the evolving threats.

During the event, Huawei also announced the graduation of 94 individuals from different ministries and state departments after completing cybersecurity governance training.

The training targeted government regulatory agency personnel, enterprise board members, middle and senior-level managers, cybersecurity managers and senior cybersecurity experts.

They were trained on global cybersecurity insights and trends, international cybersecurity standards, enterprise cybersecurity governance practices, enterprise cybersecurity business domain practices, enterprise data security governance practices and enterprise privacy protection governance.

edithmutethya@chinadaily.com.cn