Driving Digital Skills for Africa’s Future: Philip Ochieng Vision at Connected Africa 2026

Story by Ayubu John photo journalist Afrimedia Group news 
At the heart of Kenya’s growing digital transformation movement stands Philip Ochieng the Director of Programs at Softtech Global Institute—a leading training and technology solutions hub based in Westlands, Nairobi.
As Africa accelerates toward a tech-driven future, institutions like Softtech are playing a critical role in equipping professionals with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
Empowering Through Skills and Innovation
At Softtech Global Institute, the mission is clear: build capacity and prepare individuals for the future of work. The institution offers a wide range of programs, including:
Cybersecurity training
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Cloud certifications
Microsoft professional courses
Project management (PMI, Scrum Master)
Operational excellence programs
Beyond training, Softtech also provides IT solutions and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services, including call center operations—bridging the gap between learning and real-world application.
Driving Digital Skills for Africa’s Future: Philip Ochieng Vision at Connected Africa 2026
A Role at Connected Africa 2026
This year, Softtech Global Institute was among key contributors at the Connected Africa Summit 2026, where Philip Ocheng and his team delivered pre-summit training sessions in cybersecurity and AI.
The summit serves as a major platform for collaboration, innovation, and dialogue around Africa’s digital future—bringing together stakeholders from across the continent.
Challenges in Participation
However, the 2026 experience revealed important insights.
According to Ocheng, participation in the pre-summit training dropped significantly compared to the previous year. Attendance was nearly half of what was recorded during the 2025 edition, which was held in Mombasa.
“The turnout this year was lower than expected,” he noted. “Last year, we saw strong engagement, especially in AI training. This time, the numbers were reduced.”
He also observed a decline in the number of exhibitors at the summit, raising questions about broader engagement trends.
While the exact reasons remain unclear, factors such as event location, economic considerations, and participant accessibility may have played a role.
Looking Ahead with Optimism
Despite these challenges, Ocheng remains optimistic about the future.
He believes that such experiences offer valuable lessons for improving participation and strengthening engagement in future events. More importantly, they highlight the need to continuously adapt strategies in promoting digital skills and innovation across the continent.
An Open Invitation
As Kenya continues to position itself as a regional tech hub, Softtech Global Institute is inviting individuals, organizations, and partners to engage more actively in digital transformation.
“We welcome everyone to visit our center in Westlands or explore our programs online,” Ocheng says. “Together, we can build the skills needed to drive our country forward in this digital era.”

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