Nairobi Students Receive Free Coding Lessons Through New Tech Partnership

A new partnership between the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and CODEMAO has launched free coding lessons for students in Nairobi as part of a broader initiative to boost digital literacy. The second phase of the programme was unveiled at a ceremony on July 3, 2025, at the Tribe Hotel in Nairobi and is set to target young learners in junior secondary schools. The launch included the donation of tablets to 20 schools across Nairobi and neighbouring counties and the selection of top‑performing students to participate in an international visit to China. This initiative builds on Kenya’s drive to embed coding and artificial intelligence fundamentals into the national education framework. Under the phase II rollout (2025–2030), the scheme aims not only to provide technical training but also to equip teachers through professional development, and to build a sustainable coding ecosystem in schools. Notably, UNESCO and CODEMAO emphasised that Kenya is among the first African nations to launch this phase, underlining the country’s leadership in digital education innovation. Feedback from students, educators and policymakers has been enthusiastic. Teachers reported that students are already engaging more confidently with coding concepts, while parents welcomed the extra learning opportunity outside traditional subjects. Authorities noted the importance of such interventions in bridging the digital divide, especially in urban areas like Nairobi where access to technology varies widely. Some experts, however, cautioned that the success of the programme will depend on infrastructure support—such as consistent internet connectivity and device maintenance—particularly for less‑resourced schools.
Looking ahead, organisers plan to expand the coding lessons to additional Nairobi schools and to integrate them into regular school timetables. Monitoring and evaluation frameworks are being established to measure impacts such as improved problem‑solving skills and digital creativity among students. If effectively scaled and supported, this programme could help position Nairobi students at the forefront of Kenya’s digital workforce future.