Narrowing Kenya’s Digital Divide Through Purposeful Partnerships: How SOS Children’s Villages Kenya and Maersk Are Creating Digital Opportunities for Young People
Nairobi, Kenya – In today’s digital world, access to technology is more than a convenience—it is a gateway to learning, employment, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment. Recognizing this, SOS Children’s Villages Kenya, through its ICT4D (ICT for Development) and Fund Development & Communications departments, continues to invest in digital inclusion initiatives that ensure vulnerable children, young people, and families are not left behind.
This commitment was recently strengthened through a meaningful partnership with A.P. Moller – Maersk Kenya, which donated 30 HP EliteBook laptops to support SOS Children’s Villages Kenya’s Digital iHubs across five locations. The donation marks another milestone in a growing partnership focused on expanding digital access and creating opportunities for young people to thrive in the digital economy.
Investing in More Than Technology
The contribution of 30 laptops represents far more than additional equipment. It is an investment in young people’s futures.
The laptops have been deployed to SOS Children’s Villages Kenya’s Digital iHubs, innovation spaces designed to bridge digital literacy gaps while providing access to digital learning, mentorship, and skills development opportunities.
Through these hubs, children, youth, and community members gain practical technology skills that improve their educational outcomes, enhance employability, and foster entrepreneurship.
To date, SOS Children’s Villages Kenya’s ICT4D programme has:
- Trained over 10,000 individuals
- Reached more than 29,000 community members
- Expanded access to digital education and empowerment opportunities across communities
- Created pathways for learning, innovation, entrepreneurship, and employment
The additional laptops will significantly increase the capacity of the iHubs, enabling even more young people and community members to access critical digital skills and opportunities.
Experiencing the Impact First-Hand
Following the donation, representatives from Maersk Kenya visited SOS Children’s Villages Kenya’s Digital iHubs and Village facilities, providing an opportunity to experience the programme’s impact first-hand.
During the visit, the team engaged directly with young people, explored innovation spaces, and learned how digital inclusion initiatives are transforming lives and opening new pathways to opportunity.
The visit highlighted how technology is helping bridge educational and digital literacy gaps while equipping young people with skills required to succeed in an increasingly digital world.
Speaking during the visit, Samuel Keige, ICT Manager at SOS Children’s Villages Kenya, emphasized the transformative role of technology:
“Our Digital iHubs bridge literacy gaps and create pathways for learning, innovation, and economic empowerment. Through technology, we are equipping young people with the skills and confidence they need to thrive in a digital world.”
The Power of Strategic Partnerships
The partnership between SOS Children’s Villages Kenya and Maersk demonstrates the critical role that private sector collaboration plays in addressing social challenges and creating sustainable impact.
Representing the Senior Management Team, Diana Etsabo, Head of Fund Development and Communications, underscored the importance of partnerships in scaling impact:
“It is transformative partners like Maersk that make a difference. Through strong partnerships, we go further, reach more people, and create lasting impact.”
The official handover of the laptops took place at the Maersk Kenya offices and was led by Oliver Bunting, Naved Zafar, and Sharon Kotut, alongside a delegation from SOS Children’s Villages Kenya led by National Director Walter S. Odhiambo and colleagues from various departments supporting the initiative.
Reflecting on the partnership, Naved Zafar noted the immense potential of young people to drive innovation:
“Kenyan youth are the drivers of innovation and the future of sustainable growth.”
Similarly, Sharon Kotut highlighted the tangible outcomes that effective corporate social responsibility initiatives can deliver:
“CSR can sometimes feel intangible, but this partnership shows measurable impact in transforming lives.”
Adding to this, Walter S. Odhiambo, National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Kenya, emphasized the long-term value of the collaboration:
“We are happy to see how this partnership is taking shape one that is anchored in a transformative approach that truly empowers communities.”
Opening Doors for the Next Generation
For the Maersk team, seeing the impact beyond the donation was a powerful experience.
Reflecting on the visit, Charl Pienaar, Compliance Manager, Africa at Maersk, shared:
“It was amazing to see what this partnership is doing to change the trajectory of young people in Kenya. The iHub model has the potential to open doors across communities.”
The impact is already evident. Every laptop placed in the hands of a learner creates new possibilities. Every digital skill acquired increases confidence and employability. Every opportunity to learn technology brings young people one step closer to economic independence.
What’s Next for the Digital iHubs?
As SOS Children’s Villages Kenya continues to expand digital inclusion efforts, the enhanced iHub infrastructure will support a range of learning and empowerment initiatives, including:
- Coding bootcamps to equip young people with practical and market-relevant technology skills.
- Entrepreneurship training to encourage innovation, self-employment, and business development.
- Mentorship programmes connecting youth with industry professionals and experienced practitioners.
- Digital literacy training for children, youth, and community members.
- Innovation and learning opportunities designed to prepare participants for the future of work.
These initiatives aim to equip young people not only with technical skills but also with the confidence, creativity, and resilience needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
Join Us in Expanding Digital Opportunity
Closing Kenya’s digital divide requires collective action.
SOS Children’s Villages Kenya invites corporates, foundations, development partners, and individuals to join this journey by supporting digital access, technology infrastructure, mentorship, skills transfer, and innovation programmes.
Together, we can ensure that every child and young person has the opportunity to learn, innovate, and thrive in the digital age.
Because every laptop can unlock potential. Every digital skill can create opportunity. And every partnership can change lives.